MILTON, Mass. (11/14/2026) - The Nichols College men's ice hockey team bounced back in impressive fashion on Saturday afternoon, earning a 3-0 shutout victory over Curry College in a Conference of New England (CNE) matchup at the Canton Ice House. The Bison received goals from three different skaters and a 28-save shutout performance from junior goaltender
Ryan Henry to secure the road victory.
The victory moves Nichols to 4-2-0 overall and 3-1-0 in CNE play as the Bison continue their 2026-27 campaign. The Colonels drop to 3-2-0, 3-2-0 in conference action.
Following Friday evening's 7-1 setback against the Colonels, Nichols responded with a strong defensive effort and timely offensive production to even the weekend home-and-home series.
Nichols wasted little time establishing its presence offensively, generating 10 shots on goal in the opening period. The Bison capitalized on a power-play opportunity at 11:02 when sophomore Tristan Kimmen found the back of the net to give Nichols a 1-0 advantage. Kimmen's goal came off assists from senior CJ Zezima and sophomore Gavin Duckworth, giving the Bison an early lead that they carried into the first intermission.
The Bison continued to apply pressure in the second period, recording 17 shots on goal while holding Curry to 10. Nichols doubled its advantage at 10:29, once again taking advantage of the power play. Senior Ryan Austin finished off a scoring opportunity with an assist from Kimmen to extend the Bison lead to 2-0.
Kimmen continued to make an impact offensively, finishing the afternoon with a goal and an assist for a two-point performance. Duckworth also contributed an assist, while Zezima recorded an additional point on the opening tally.
Defensively, Nichols maintained its composure throughout the middle frame, limiting Curry's opportunities and keeping the Colonels off the scoreboard. Henry turned aside all 10 shots he faced in the second period, preserving the Bison's two-goal advantage heading into the final 20 minutes.
Curry looked to mount a comeback in the third period, but Nichols' defensive unit continued to hold firm. The Bison recorded seven blocked shots in the final frame, helping protect their lead while Henry stopped all six shots directed his way.
Nichols put the game away at 18:07 when senior Luca Ricci scored an empty-net goal to seal the 3-0 victory. Ricci's tally was unassisted and capped off a strong afternoon for the Bison, who finished with 34 shots on goal.
Offensively, Kimmen led Nichols with three points, including a goal and an assist. Ricci also finished with a goal, while Austin added a goal of his own. Zezima and Duckworth each contributed an assist, and senior Charles O'Connell paced the defensive effort with three blocked shots.
The Bison also found success on special teams, converting two of their seven power-play opportunities. Nichols' penalty-killing unit was equally effective, holding Curry scoreless on all four of its power-play chances.
In net, Henry delivered a standout performance, stopping all 28 shots he faced to earn his first shutout of the 2026-27 campaign. The Bison goaltender recorded 12 saves in the opening period, 10 in the second, and six in the third to preserve the clean sheet.
Nichols outshot Curry 34-28 and finished with 17 blocked shots compared to the Colonels' 13. The Bison also received contributions throughout the lineup, with 11 different skaters recording at least one shot on goal.
Nichols returns home to Levy Rink on Friday, November 20th, when the Bison host Salve Regina University in a CNE matchup. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:40 PM.
