WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (November 26, 2024) – The Western New England men's ice hockey team recorded a 2-0 win on home ice on Tuesday night from the Olympia Ice Center, seeing goalie Logan Palmer shine with 39 saves while both Mathew Fortin and Jordie Morgan would record goals to take down the Trailblazers of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

Records:

• MCLA: 0-5
• Western New England: 3-5-1

How it Happened:

Western New England came away with their first shot of the game early in the frame when Justin Sullivan tested MCLA's Matthew Gover early, though the sophomore for MCLA was up to the task. MCLA would test WNE senior goalkeeper Logan Palmer early, as well as both Cade Herrera and Shane Green, who would pick up early shots on goal for the Trailblazers, though Palmer would be up to the task. Three straight shots from Matty Zdanowicz and Nolan Dawson would again test MCLA's defense, though the visitors would keep WNE off the scoreboard. The Golden Bears would finally crack the ice and pick up the first goal of the game with 9:57 to play in the first period after the Golden Bears would execute a perfect breakout from their defensive zone to come away with the 1-0 lead. Jake Mendeszoon would send the puck around the goal for Jimmy Mettler, who picked up the puck and sent a springing Mathew Fortin forward. Fortin would move ahead up the ice on a two-on-one. The WNE forward would take a pass that would move the MCLA goalie away from the post while Fortin would pick up his first goal of the season. Following the goal, MCLA would pressure Palmer and the WNE defense, looking for their first goal of the game, though the WNE 'keeper would stand tall, making all 14 saves in the opening frame to lead WNE to a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes of play. WNE took the 20-19 shots advantage, though MCLA had the 14-12 edge on goal.

The Trailblazers came out of the dressing room and opened the second period with three quick shots in the opening minute, two shots going wide of the cage while Palmer would make one save in the sequence. MCLA would pick up multiple power plays in the second period, forcing the Golden Bears defense to come away with multiple blocked shots while MCLA would continue to pressure the goalkeeper for WNE. Palmer would pick up 13 saves in the first ten minutes of the second period to keep MCLA off the scoreboard. The Golden Bears would pick up a power play chance after a high-sticking minor would be called on the Trailblazers. Western New England would make no mistake with their chance as Jake Mendeszoon would find Jordie Morgan coming off the half-wall and would fire a blistering wrist shot into the top left corner of the net, which gave the Golden Bears a 2-0 lead. Morgan collected his third goal of the season, which doubled the lead for WNE. The Golden Bears would take their two-goal lead into the final period of play. MCLA had the 34-15 total shots advantage in the second period and 18-8 on goal.

MCLA would turn on the burners in the third period, scratching and clawing for their first goal of the game, though the Golden Bears defense would hold off the Trailblazers through the first seven minutes of the third after a flurry of chances would be denied. Western New England would take back-to-back shots, both by Nolan Dawson, though nothing would come out of it. WNE would continue to put pressure on MCLA with six minutes remaining in the game, getting the better of the chances at goal, though could not add to their lead. MCLA would pull their goalie late in the third period, looking to ruin the shutout for Logan Palmer, though the WNE goalie would hold his ground and record all 39 saves in the game that would preserve Western New England a 2-0 victory on home ice.

Inside the Lines:

• Logan Palmer led the Golden Bears to a victory on Tuesday night, making 39 saves, including 18 in the second period, recording his second career victory and first career shutout.
• Jordie Morgan picked up his third tally of the season, WNE's second goal of the game, while also taking four shots and winning three faceoffs.
• Mathew Forntin had the game-winning goal for WNE, his first of the year.
• MCLA out-shot WNE 39-33 overall.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England returns to the ice on Friday, December 6, at 5:00 PM, getting back into CNE play at Endicott College.