MILTON, Mass.- In an ECAC Northeast Conference match-up in men's ice hockey action on Thursday night in Milton, Mass., Curry College lost to Nichols, 2-1 . With the loss, the Colonels fell to 8-10-2 overall and 4-5 in the ECAC Northeast conference. The Bison improved to 13-5-2 overall and 6-2-1 in the ECAC Northeast.
After a scoreless first period, freshman Tyler Vankleef (Dundas, Ontario) opened the scoring less than a minute into the second stanza for the Colonels as he slipped the puck past sophomore goaltender Alex Larson (Madison, Ala.). Classmate Sean Nelson (Brighton, Mich.) was credited with an assist on the play.
The Bison answered back at 18:01 of the second period when sophomore Sean Fleming (Easthampton, N.J.) was able to best freshman Brett Sinclair (St. Catharines, Ontario) and tie the game at one. Sophomore Tyler Beasley (Indianapolis, Ind.) picked up his team leading 18th assist on the play, and senior captain Josh DeLoach (Tampa, Fla.) was credited with the secondary apple.
Strootman potted his sixth marker of the season and fourth in three games just 1:10 into the third period on the power-play to put his team in front, 2-1. Juniors Chris Gularte (Salinas, Calif.) and Brett Jackson (Larchmont, N.Y.) were credited with assists on the play.
Larson tallied 35 saves on the way to his 10th win of the season. Sinclair picked up 36 stops for the Colonels.
Curry's next game is at home against ECAC Northeast opponent Salve Regina on Saturday, February 8, for a 4:40 p.m. start. Nichols hosts ECAC Northeast opponent Suffolk on Saturday, February 8 for a 7:40 p.m. game start.
