MILTON, Mass.- In an ECAC Northeast Conference match-up in men's ice hockey action on Saturday afternoon in Milton, Mass., Curry College defeated Johnson & Wales, 4-3 . With the win, the Colonels improve to 2-3 overall and 1-2 in the ECAC Northeast conference. The Wildcats fell to 3-1 overall and 2-1 in the ECAC Northeast.
The first period saw an evenly played game between the teams. Johnson & Wales out shot Curry just 8-7 and each netted a goal. The Colonels were the first to get on the board just 1:39 into the contest. Freshman Joe Scarfo (Winthrop, Mass.) tallied his first collegiate goal off assists by freshman Michael Vallescuro (Woodbridge, Ontario) and sophomore Frankie Posillico (Massapequa, N.Y.). 11:21 minutes later the Wildcats evened the score at one apiece. Curry was called for a hitting after the whistle penalty and Johnson & Wales took advantage of the man-up situation. Senior Eddie Patterson (Cinnaminson, N.J.) one-timed the puck past the Colonel's junior goaltender Derek Mohney (Amherst, N.Y.). Junior Jason Healey (Goshen, N.Y.) and sophomore Luke Nickels (Chicago, Ill.) were credited with the assists.
Curry started off the second stanza like they did the first, netting a goal early into the period and regaining the lead. Senior Brad Devereaux (Duxbury, Mass.) scored his first of two of the night 1:17 in. The Wildcats won the face of in the Colonels defensive zone. Mohney saved a quick shot by Johnson & Wales and sent the puck up the ice to sophomore Brandon Gilmore (Quincy, Mass.). Gilmore made a quick pass to an open Devereaux who stuck the puck right over the glove of the Wildcats freshman goaltender (Kalamazoo, Mich.). Johnson & Wales was able to tie the score at two on another power play situation. With 1:05 into the PP, freshman Matt Lanzillotti (Chicago, Ill.) collected a blocked shot off a Curry defender and earned his team's second goal on the night. Lanzillotti was assisted by sophomore Cody Sarmiento (Sarasota, FL) and freshman Michael Mazzotta (Mars, Pa.)
The Colonels came out strong in final regulation. Curry put up two back-to-back goals to take the lead for their third time and also finishing with the game winner. Johnson & Wales cut the lead back to one late in the period, but it wasn't enough as the Colonels ended the Wildcats undefeated streak to hand them their first loss on the season. Devereaux netted his second to start the scoring off after a Posillico assist. The Colonels were able to capitalize on a man-up situation for the game-winner just 1:21 seconds after Devereauxs score. Vallescuro earned his second point of the game after a slap shot just over the blueline. The shot sailed passed Balmmer who struggled to make the stop. Gilmore and freshman Jake Heisinger (Winnipeg, Manitoba) were credited with the assists. The final tally of the night came from an unassisted goal by the Wildcat's sophomore Josh Obregon (Omaha, Neb.). Obregon skated with the puck around two Curry defenders and maneuvered it past Mohney. Both teams balled over the final nine minutes. Johnson & Wales had a chance to tie it up with 5:45 remaining after a Curry foul but a great penalty kill by the Colonels defense held them at bay. The Wildcats pulled Ballmer with 50 seconds showing on the board in hopes of a sixth skater to tie the game and send the teams into overtime. Mohney however came up with two huge saves to hold on to his squads 4-3 victory.
The Colonels went 1 for 5 on power-plays, while the Wildcats went 2 for 9. Curry finished with 22 shots while Johnson & Wales finished with 27.
Curry's Mohney made 24 saves in net for the win. Ballmer came up with 24 stops for Johnson & Wales in the loss.
Curry's next game is away at ECAC Northeast opponent Salve Regina on Tuesday, November 19 at 7:30 p.m. Johnson & Wales travels to ECAC Northeast opponent Becker on Wednesday, November 20 for a 7:00 p.m. game start.
