Hockey Falls to Johnson & Wales 5-3

Hockey Falls to Johnson & Wales 5-3

MILTON, Mass.- Johnson & Wales defeated Curry College, in men's ice hockey action on Thursday night in Milton, Mass.  The Colonels fall to 16-7-1 overall and 10-2-1 in conference play, while the Wildcats improve to 10-13 overall and  5-6 in the ECAC Northeast.

Curry took a one goal lead in the first period from sophomore Payden Benning. Benning would score again early in the second period as the Colonels would take a 2-0 lead. It didn't take long for the Wildcats to answer back as junior Craig Houle put one past senior goaltender Zachary Cardella just over a minute later.  A goal by freshman Jason Pietrasiak late in the second would tie the game at two.
 
The score would remain tied at two at the start of the third but Curry would go up by one six minutes into the period off a goal from freshman Connor Hendry.  The Wildcats didn't back down as leading goal scorer, Houle would score his second of the night to tie the game at again at three a piece.  Both teams battled back and forth and each had their chances to score, but senior Kevin Marchesi of Johnson & Wales scored the game-winner with just 1:15 left to play. A late empty net goal by Houle, his third of the night, sealed the win for the Wildcats.  
 
Freshman Matt Cooper earned the win in net for the Wildcats making 38 saves.  Senior Zachary Cardella played in net for 30:30 minutes and made 18 saves and senior Steven Jakiel played for 29:30 minutes and made nine saves in the loss.
 
Curry's next game is away at Wentworth on February 21st at 5:30 p.m. Johnson & Wales hosts Nichols on February 21st at 5:10 p.m.

Box Score