MILTON, Mass.- In an ECAC Northeast conference match-up in men's ice hockey action on Saturday evening at the Max Ulin Rink, Curry College lost to Nichols College, 4-1. In the loss, the Colonels fell to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in the conference. The Bison improved to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in the conference with the win.
Despite the Colonels outshooting the Bison, 13-9, in the first period, Nichols was able to take a one goal lead. Solid play between the pipes from junior goaltender Alex Larson (Madison, Ala.) held Curry scoreless. At the 7:19 minute mark the Colonels' sophomore Tyler Vankleef (Dundas, Ontario) was called for a high-sticking penalty. The Bison took advantage of the man-up situation and just 27 seconds in to the PP, Nichols got on the board. Sophomore Mike Weaver (Wakefield, Mass.) netted his first on the night when he one-timed the puck over the shoulder of Curry's senior netminder Derek Mohney (Amherst, N.Y.). Junior Francesco Posillico (Massapequa, N.Y.) and senior Chris Gularte (Salinas, Calif.) were credited with the assists. The game remained at 1-0 in favor of the Bison throughout the remainder of the period.
Midway into the second stanza the Bison tallied their game-winning goal and extended their lead to two. Senior Kyle Shapiro (Ambler, Pa.) took a slap shot just over the blueline after receiving the puck from Posillico and senior Mike Schwartz (Long Beach, N.Y.). The Colonels answered back five minutes later to cut the deficit for a 2-1 score. Freshman Phil Kiss (Burlington, Ontario) earned his first goal of the season after collecting a loose puck in front of the net and sending it past Larson. Sophomores Jake Heisinger (Winnipeg, Manitoba) and Dan McGinnis (Hanover, Mass.) had the assists. Once again Curry outshot Nichols, this time 15-12 over 20 minutes of play, but was unable to tally another for a tie score before the horn went off.
Seven total penalties were called in the final period. The Bison however were able to capitalize on their power-plays as they went 2-for-3. The Colonels struggled on their advantages and were 0-for-4. Junior Tyler Beasley (Indianapolis, Ind.) netted both goals for his team. His first came at 9:10 off assists by Shapiro and junior Paul Prescott (Oakdale, Minn.). His second came with 2:49 left to play in regulation. Shapiro earned his third assist and led all scorers on four points with one goal and three assists. Junior Frank Butler (E. Haven, Conn.) was credited with the second assist.
Curry went 0-6 on power plays while Nichols was 3-7. The Colonels finished with a game-high 41 shots and the Bison 28.
Curry's Mohney made 24 saves in net in the loss. Larson came up with an impressive 40 stops for the win.
Curry's next game is away at ECAC Northeast opponent Western New England on Thursday, November 13 at 7:10 p.m. Nichols is next in action on Wednesday, November 12 when they travel to ECAC Northeast opponent Becker College in a 7:00 p.m. game start.
