Box Score Box / Text / Sheet

MANCHESTER, N.H.--For the second straight game, Western New England played up to an NCAA Division II opponent. And for the second day in a row, the Golden Bears lost a one-goal heartbreaker late. This time, sophomore Nathan Bergeron scored with 1 minute and 55 seconds remaining in the third period to lift host Southern New Hampshire to a 2-1 victory in non-conference men's hockey action at the Ice Den on Sunday evening.

Freshman Scott Brown was solid in his first career start for the Golden Bears, turning aside 36 shots in goal. Freshman Ryan Slatky registered 33 saves in his first collegiate appearance to earn the victory.

Bergeron's first goal of the season came while the Penmen (4-5) were shorthanded and the teams tied at 1-1. Western New England went on the power play after junior Joe Collins was given a 2-minute minor penalty for slashing at the 17:16 mark. But 49 seconds later, Bergeron found the go-ahead goal, unassisted, by forcing a turnover in the Penmen defensive zone and chipping it out to the neutral zone. From there, he broke in all alone and sent a snapshot high to the blocker side of Brown.

The two teams battled to a scoreless first period before Southern New Hampshire broke through midway through the second. On the power-play, Collins fired a shot on goal and after his initial bid was stopped, classmate Jim Gabrione rifled home the rebound to give the Penmen a 1-0 lead with 11:08 remaining.

Both goaltenders were able to keep the opposition off the board through the remainder of the second and the majority of the third period, Western New England was able to knot the score at a goal apiece with 4:53 to play. After a battle along the left wing boards, the puck squirted out to the high slot and sophomore Dane Genord one-timed a shot through traffic that found its way to the back of the net. Junior Chris Lembo and senior Andy Cramer each earned assists on Genord's team-leading fourth goal.

Western New England (1-8-1) will be taking fall semester final exams next week and recharge the batteries for the New Year with its first game of 2015 on Sunday, Jan. 4 (7 p.m.), hosting nationally-ranked Trinity College at Smead Rink at Blunt Park. The Penmen will remain idle until Jan. 2 when they travel to Becker College for a 7 p.m. puck drop.

(Editor's note: SNHU Athletic Communications contributed to this game recap.)