Box Score Boxscore

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.--Junior assistant captain Brandon Stroud extended his point-streak to four games in a big way on Monday night by scoring the game-winning goal with 58 seconds left in overtime, lifting Western New England past NCAA Division II Stonehill, 3-2, in men's hockey action at Smead Rink at Blunt Park. The Golden Bears, who move to 9-6 overall on the season, are now 7-1 at home, while the Skyhawks slip to 6-9.

Stroud's seventh tally of the season capped a two-goal rally in the third period as senior captain Brian Prost, who finished with three points, and junior defenseman Michael Darrar assisted on the play. Stroud, who was named to the Eastern College Athletic Conference Northeast Honor Roll earlier today, has three goals and three assists for six points in his last four outings.

The visitors jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead just 14 seconds after the opening face-off when Anthony D'Elia pounced on a rebound shot by Stephen Balsamo. Stonehill made it 2-0 at the 5:53 mark of the second period on a power-play goal by Bryan Rooney.

Western New England started its comeback early in the third period as senior Chris Connors found the back of the net with 1:13 elapsed time, cutting the deficit to 2-1. Then with 4:13 remaining in regulation, Prost took a pass from Connors at the blue line and deked Stonehill goalie Patrick Farrington for his team-leading eighth goal. 

Stonehill applied offensive pressure in the OT stanza, outshooting WNE 6-1. But, the Golden Bears didn't break and used their quickness with open-ice while skating 4-on-4 NCAA overtime rules.

Western New England senior goalie Eric Sorenson made several key stops as part of his 40 total for the game. Farrington ended up with 38 saves.

The Skyhawks outshot WNE 42-41 for the game, but the Golden Bears had a 16 to 6 advantage in the crucial third to get back into it.

Western New England won't have much time to savor this victory as the Golden Bears turn around in 24 hours to face another D-II opponent in Assumption College on the road tomorrow night, with a 6:05 start.