SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (January 6, 2016) - The Western New England University ice hockey team used three power play goals to fuel a 5-1 victory over Framingham State University this afternoon in non-conference action at Smead Arena.
 
Freshman CJ Totillo (Brooklyn, N.Y.) led the way with two goals as Western New England opened 2016 with its highest offensive output of the season. Classmates David Kleyman (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Tyler Hines (North Haven, Conn.) and sophomore defenseman Matt Audet (Campbell, Calif.) also found the back of the net, while junior forward Dane Genord (Grand Blanc, Mich.) recorded three assists.
 
Senior goaltender Austin Keiser (Danwoody, Ga.) made 18 saves on 19 Framingham State shots, turning back nine in the first period. Junior Alessio Muggli (Ruiti, Switzerland) finished with 25 stops for the Rams.
 
Totillo staked Western New England to a 1-0 lead just 3:34 into the contest, 46 seconds after Framingham State was whistled for a high sticking penalty. Senior forward Chris Lembo (Southington, Conn.) sent a pass up the boards to Genord, who found Totillo open in the slot for a one-timer that found Muggli's five-hole.
 
Western New England's special teams continued to shine midway through the period, as the Golden Bears successfully killed off a five-minute major with the help of five saves by Keiser. Lembo and freshman defenseman Brian Hurley (Baldwin, N.Y.) then set up Totillo for his second power play tally of the period with 1:08 on the clock as Western New England held a 2-0 lead at the first intermission.
 
Kleyman extended the Golden Bears' lead to 3-0 with his second goal of the season midway through the second period, and Audet made it 4-0 with 4:26 remaining in the frame on a slap shot from the top of the right circle that beat Muggli on his blocker side.
 
Junior Mark Essery (Rockfall, Conn.) put an end to Keiser's shutout bid 12:29 into the third period, and Hines added a late goal with the help of senior Ryan Taylor (Canfield, Ohio) and freshman Braedan Pearl (L'Orignal, Ont.) to cap the scoring.
 
Western New England capitalized on three of its five power play opportunities overall, while killing off both of Framingham State's chances with a man advantage. The Golden Bears also held the edge in shots on goal (30-19) and faceoffs won (38-37).
 
Prior to the start of this afternoon's game, Western New England held a moment of silence for former head ice hockey coach Jeff Kravitz, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 64. Kravitz started the ice hockey program at Western New England, serving as its first head coach from 1980-85.
 
Western New England (1-10-1, 0-6-0 ECAC NE) will be right back in action tomorrow night at Assumption College in Worcester, before returning to Smead Arena on Sunday to open a three-game homestand against SUNY Potsdam. Framingham State (2-9, 1-5 MASCAC) is off until Saturday, when the Rams head to Fitchburg State for a conference contest at 4 p.m.