Box Score
FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--Senior
Joe Budnick netted his first career hat trick, and freshman goalie
Scott Brown recorded a career-best 38 saves, as the Western New England University men's hockey team forged a 3-3 tie at Framingham State in non-conference play on Tuesday evening. The visiting Golden Bears are now 1-9-2 on the season while the Rams settle at 2-7-2.
Freshman Tyler Colacchio led Framingham's offense with a pair of goals as six teammates tallied at least one point. Alessio Muggli stopped 27 WNE shots in the Rams net.
Western New England jumped out to a 1-0 lead on the strength of a power-play goal after Thomas Fahey was whistled for 2-minute minor penalty for elbowing at 2:34 of the first period. Budnick and Co. cashed in just 21 seconds later as he potted his first goal of the night on assists from freshman
Matthieu Audet and senior
Andy Cramer.
The Rams would follow with three straight goals to open up a 3-1 lead. Colacchio got the Rams on the board midway through the first with his second of the season. Senior Ryan McDonald scored his 10th of the season with just over three minutes left in the first and Colacchio followed with his second of the game in the opening minutes of the third.
Budnick brought the Golden Bears back within one midway through the second with his second power play goal of the contest on a feed from senior assistant captain
Michael Darrar. He completed the hat trick and tied it, 3-3, 4:26 into the third to eventually force the extra 5-minute session.
The Golden Bears had a pair of scoring chances in the closing minutes of regulation with the man-advantage, but Muggli came up with the pair of huge saves. The penalty kill unit for WNE also played large by not allowing a goal during a 5-minute power play for the Rams after Budnick's tying goal.
The Rams had the best chance for victory in overtime, but McDonald's bid was saved by Brown.
The Rams held a 41-30 advantage in shots, but the Golden Bears converted 2-of-7 with the man-advantage.
The Golden Bears travel to non-conference SUNY Canton on Jan. 16 at 7 p.m., while the Rams are back in action on Saturday when they host Westfield State University in a MASCAC tilt beginning at 2:40 p.m.
#Play4Jody
(Editor's note: Framingham Athletics contributed to this game recap.)
