Box Score Box / Text / Sheet

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.--Johnson & Wales scored three goals in the third period to break open a close game as the Wildcats defeated Western New England, 5-0, in Eastern College Athletic Conference Northeast men's hockey action at Smead Rink at Blunt Park on Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats snapped a four-game winless streak away from home to improve to 10-6-1 on the season, including a 4-2 ECAC Northeast mark, while the Golden Bears (1-12-3, 1-5 ECAC Northeast) were playing in their first conference game of 2015.

Senior Tim Carr stopped 28 of 33 JWU shots for Western New England, including several tough saves to keep it a 1-0 deficit through the midway point of the contest. Wildcats sophomore goaltender Joey Ballmer turned aside all 26 shots he faced to record his second shutout of the season.

The visitors got all the scoring they would need 3 minutes and 33 seconds into the first period when Drew Kariofiles found the back of the net for his fourth goal of 2015 off a scrum in front of the WNE cage. Jason Healey picked up his league-leading 15th assist and Stefan Brucato also assisted on the play.

Johnson & Wales pushed the lead to 2-0 with a lucky goal in the second period at the 11:33 mark when Cody Sarmiento's shot between the face-off circles hit the left post and the puck caromed off the back of Carr's left pad to trickle over the goal line. Matt Lanzillotti and Aaron Arm were credited with assists.

Still in the second, Western New England had a chance to get on the scoreboard when senior captain Brandon Stroud skated behind the Wildcat defense and closed on the goal, but the puck slid off the stick into the corner before he could get off a shot.

The Wildcats got insurance goals in the final stanza from Alan Boozer, Jason Healey and Connor Bates in a span of 5 minutes and 4 seconds.

The Golden Bears nearly solved Ballmer in the third period as sophomore Josh Twietmeyer rifled a shot from the top of the slot into the goalie's gut and senior Andy Cramer had a shot that glanced off the right post.

Western New England is in action next on Tuesday against conference rival Nichols at the Levy Rink in Harrisville, R.I.

#Play4Jody