BOSTON, Mass. (1/3/2026) - The Nichols College men's ice hockey team defeated SUNY Potsdam 3-1 in their first game of the eighth annual Boston Landing Collegiate Invitational on Saturday night at the Warrior Ice Arena.

The Bison, who now stand at 5-6 (3-4 CNE) overall, advance to the Invitational championship game on Sunday to play the winner of Southern New Hampshire University and Connecticut College, while SUNY Potsdam will play in the consolation game. The Bears now move to 5-6 (2-3 SUNYAC) following the loss.

The Bison netted the only goal of the first 20 minutes, cashing in on their first power play opportunity at the 5:19 mark. Luca Ricci and Tristan Kimmen were the architects behind the play, with Ricci sliding a pass to find CJ Zezima for a one-timer from the right circle, his fifth goal of the season.

The two sides played to a scoreless second period, with SUNY Potsdam holding a 15-10 shots advantage in the frame. The scoreless action would continue well into the third period, until the Bears made it a brand-new hockey game with the equalizer at 7:35 of the period. The goal came off an initial blocked shot that forced freshman goaltender Ryan Henry out of position, giving the Bears a clean shot into the back of the cage to tie the score at 1-1. However, Nichols wouldn't wait long to reclaim the lead as Kimmen slid a pass on an odd-man rush over to Aaron Hamel, who proceeded to net the puck blocker side high on the Bears' goaltender, putting the Bison ahead 2-1.

With a one-goal lead with under five to play, Jeremy Tremblay added an insurance goal with 57 seconds left to seal the victory, which he did by cleaning up a loose puck on an awkward bounce to make it 3-1.

Henry stopped 30-of-31 shots faced to backstop the Bison, earning his third win of the campaign (3-2).

The Bison will face Connecticut College in the Invitational championship game, which will be played at 2:40 PM. The consolation game will take place afterward at 5:40 PM between SUNY Potsdam and Southern New Hampshire University.