Box Score Scoring Summary

HARRISVILLE, R.I. - The Western New England men's hockey team gained one of its biggest wins of the season with a 3-2 victory over Nichols in a key ECAC Northeast game Wednesday night (Feb. 16) at the June Rockwell Levy Rink.

Freshman forward Alan Martin (Monson, MA) scored what proved to be the winning goal early in the third period and freshman goalie Eric Sorenson (Fairport, NY) made 30 saves to help lead the Golden Bears.

Western New England avenged a earlier 3-2 loss to the Bison back on January 27 in Springfield and moved into a tie with Suffolk (who lost to Becker 3-2 tonight) for the sixth and final playoff spot in the upcoming ECAC Northeast Tournament.

The Golden Bears (7-16-1, 4-9 ECAC Northeast) will host the Rams in the final game of the regular season at 3:35 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 19) at Smead Arena.

Facing an important test, the Golden Bears responded to the challenge as freshman forward Trent Krueger (White Bear Lake, MN) scored a goal and assist, and the defense came through with a clutch effort.

Western New England took a 1-0 lead when freshman forward John Kelly (Long Island, NY) scored at 7:42 with assists from freshmen forwards Dan Monahan (Monroe, NJ)  and Brian Prost (Parma, OH).

Nichols (11-12-1, 5-8) tied the contest following a goal by junior forward Andrew Letellier (Saco, ME) at the 10:06 mark.

Krueger put the Golden Bears ahead for good just 1:30 later as Prost picked-up his second assist and it stayed a one-goal game until the final period.

Martin gave Western New England a two-goal advantage at 5:34 of the third period with assists from Krueger and freshman defenseman Cam Napolitan (East Longmeadow, MA).

The Bison answered with a goal by junior forward Andrew Ella (Schomberg, ONT) at 8:10, but couldn't get the equalizer.

Freshman goalie Dyan Woodring (Rogue River, OR) stopped 34 shots for the hosts.