NORTH SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Johnson & Wales University hockey team dropped a 4-1 decision against Curry in an ECAC Northeast contest at the RI Sports Center on Thursday evening. With the win, the Colonels took sole possession of first place in the conference and clinched the #1 seed in the upcoming league tournament.

After battling through two scoreless periods, Johnson & Wales got on the board first just :23 into the third period on a power play goal by junior Jeremiah Ketts (Foristell, Mo.).  Curry responded quickly, however and tied the game at 1-1 on a goal by freshman Joshua Pineiro (Burbank, Calif.).  The Colonels then took the lead at the 13:59 mark when a power play goal by junior Payden Benning (Estevan, Saskatchewan) gave the team a 2-1 advantage.  Curry extended its lead to 3-1 on a goal by junior John Williams (Flourtown, Pa.) at the 17:45 mark and then added an empty net goal en route to the 4-1 victory.

JWU sophomore Matt Cooper (Perrysburg, Ohio) made 39 saves in the loss while sophomore Robert Dawson (Woodbury, Minn.) had 10 stops for Curry in the victory.

With the loss Johnson & Wales falls 13-10-1 overall and 10-3-0 in the ECAC Northeast while Curry improves to 14-7-3 for the season, 10-1-2 in league play. JWU will return to action on Saturday, February 19 when they travel to Nichols for an ECAC Northeast contest at 4:40 p.m. The Colonels play their final regular-season game at home on Saturday, hosting Wentworth at 4:35 p.m.

(Release Courtesy of Johnson & Wales Sports Information)

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