PAWTUCKET, R.I. (2/14/2025) – A four-goal second period powered the Nichols College men's hockey team past Johnson & Wales on Friday night in Conference of New England (CNE) play, as the Bison won 6-3 over the Wildcats.

Freshman Luca Ricci scored his first collegiate goal in part with his three-point night. Sophomore Jack Lee scored twice, including the game-winning goal. Senior Nathan Carl, junior Aaron Hamel, and freshman Ryan Austin all finished with two-point nights.

Sophomore CJ Zezima, senior Josh Dickson, Luke Harvie, junior Tristan Kimmen, and freshman Derek Greer all tallied one point. Greer's assist on the Hamel goal was his first collegiate point.

After a clean break out and Kimmen wrapping the dumped-in puck around the net, Harvie centered a pass to Ricci. He one-timed the shot from the high slot and beat the Wildcat netminder with a shot over his glove for a 1-0 lead. This was Ricci's first collegiate goal, with Harvie and Kimmen grabbing assists.

The Wildcats answered back, beating freshman Liam Choquette twice in two minutes to grab control of the game and take a 2-1 lead. Nichols trailed after 20 minutes of action, while the Bison and Wildcats each totaled eight shots.

The Bison offense exploded for four goals in the second period to regain control. Zezima scored the tying goal, shorthanded. Ricci forced a turnover after blocking a centering pass. He chipped a pass ahead of himself, past the defense and Zezima raced in alone, before finishing off the shot, making it 2-2.

The Bison continued to up the pressure, scoring back-to-back power-play goals off the stick of Jack Lee. Nichols scored 24 seconds apart to take the 4-2 lead in the game. The second power-play goal was the eventual game-winning goal as well. Carl and Austin, each added assists on the goals for Nichols, for two-point nights.

Nichols was not done yet, as Dickson jumped in on the scoring with a goal on a 4-on-4 play after matching penalties. Nichols found themselves with a 5-2 lead after 40 minutes of action.

In the third period, the Bison and Wildcats traded goals as Nichols won 6-3 over the Wildcats. The power-play went 2-9, while the penalty-kill was a perfect 5-5. Choquette stopped 18 shots in the win for the Bison.

Nichols will return to Levy Rink on Saturday afternoon, as they face off against Wentworth. Puck drop is set for 4:40 p.m. on February 15^th.