Nichols College Athletics

WORCESTER, Mass. (10/30/2026) - The Nichols College men's ice hockey team opened its 2026-27 campaign in impressive fashion on Friday afternoon, earning a 4-1 road victory over Worcester State University at Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Rink. 

Following the win, the Bison start their season 1-0-0, with the Lancers falling to 0-0-1.

Nichols struck first late in the opening period when Tremblay found the back of the net at 17:01. Ryan Lukko set up the opening tally, recording his first collegiate point with the assist. The Bison carried a 1-0 advantage into the first intermission after out shooting Worcester State and generating several quality scoring opportunities. Ryan Lukko also came close to doubling the lead earlier in the period, ringing a shot off the pipe at the 10:03 mark.

The Bison broke the game open in the second period with three goals, including a pair just four seconds apart. At 11:16, senior Tristan Kimmen doubled the Nichols advantage with a power-play goal, finishing a feed from Luca Ricci. Just four seconds later, Tremblay struck again, this time converting a pass from junior Jacob Ammar to make it 3-0. The back-to-back goals gave Nichols considerable momentum as the Bison continued to pressure the Worcester State defense.

Nichols added another power-play tally at 16:48 when Lukko found the back of the net to extend the lead to 4-0. Tremblay and freshman Raphael Tellier collected the assists, marking Tellier's first collegiate point. The Bison finished the middle frame with three goals on the scoreboard, including two power-play conversions.

Worcester State managed to get on the board at 9:12 of the third period when Myles Kidd scored off an assist from Sean Tyrie. However, Nichols maintained control for the remainder of the contest, holding on for the 4-1 season-opening victory.

Freshman goaltender Cooper Flemming made an impressive collegiate debut between the pipes, stopping 23 of the 24 shots he faced to earn his first career victory. Lukko also enjoyed an impressive debut, finishing with a goal and an assist for two points. Tellier added his first collegiate point with an assist on Lukko's second-period tally, while freshman Vincent Bronzo recorded his first collegiate shot on goal.

Tremblay led the offensive effort with two goals and an assist for three points. Lukko finished with two points, while Ammar, Ricci and Tellier each recorded an assist. Nichols outshot Worcester State 37-24 and went 2-for-2 on the power play while successfully killing five of the six Worcester State opportunities.

Men's ice hockey will take the ice again tomorrow at Levy Rink for their home opener and the second round of WooCup. Puck drop is set for 12:40 PM against Assumption University.