Burrillville, R.I. (February 9, 2024) – The Golden Bears traveled to Rhode Island for their CCC clash with the Bison of Nichols College. The Golden Bears won the previous two matchups this year and were looking for a third win. The first and second periods of play yielded no goals. However, 5:39 into the final period of play, Maddie Pope would have a breakaway opportunity and score to give the Golden Bears the 1-0 win. Kayla Ireland had 29 saves to earn a shutout win, and Maddie Pope was credited with the game-winning goal.

Records:

• Western New England: 14-7-2 (10-5-1)
• Nichols College: 7-15-0 (1-14-0)

How it Happened:

The Golden Bears started the game with Kayla Ireland in net. Anamary Pulgar was in net for the Bison. The game got underway with a Grace Melanson opening faceoff win for the Bison. The Bison started with three shots in a row that Ireland had to save. That was followed by a couple of shots from the Golden Bears that Pulgar saved. Nichols College kept the pressure on with more shots. That is when the Golden Bears started to swing the momentum in favor of WNE. They had ten of the next eleven shot attempts. They kept looking for the opening goal of the game. However, the first penalty of the game would come first. The Golden Bears had the power play opportunity. The Bison had three short-handed shots during the WNE power play, which Ireland made each save on. After the power play, the teams traded shots back and forth. Both goalies kept the puck out of the net. The Golden Bears finished the opening period of play with seven shots in a row. After one period of play, the stat line saw shots on goal tied at 14 per side. Total shots favored the Golden Bears 23-15. Faceoff wins also favored the Golden Bears 17-3. The Bison led in blocked shots 3-0, and the Golden Bears had one more power play opportunity than the Bison. After one, the score was tied 0-0.

The second period of play started with Grace Melanson winning another opening faceoff. The Golden Bears had the first shots, with Pulgar having to make a save. The Bison then had four of the next five shots. Every time the Golden Bears started to get momentum, the Bison countered. Nichols College would go on the power play 8:02 into the second. They had three shots during it, with none of the shots on goal. The final 6:04 of the second was all WNE. They had nine of the final ten shots, with three shots on Pulgar, who saved each one. The Golden Bears made every attempt to break the gridlock tie going into the second intermission. However, the Bison held their ground, and the score after two periods of play was 0-0. The second period of play's stat line saw the Golden Bears leading 17-11 in total shots and 10-7 in shots on goal. The Bison flipped the script in terms of faceoffs by winning 14 of the 22 faceoffs. Blocked shots were tied 2-2, and the Bison had the lone power play opportunity. 

The third started with Grace Melanson winning the opening faceoff for the Bison. The Golden Bears had two shots quickly to start the third. Nichols College countered with two shots. However, the Golden Bears would quickly flip the momentum as Maddie Pope was able to break the tie. After a scrum on the right side of the boards, Maddy Tucker passed the puck to Maddie Pope, who skated down the ice. Pope had a breakaway and made a move from right to left in front of the net before sending a backhanded shot past the goalie for a goal. The Golden Bears led 1-0. The teams went back to back-and-forth action, with both teams having opportunities. The Bison then had seven out of eight shots to build momentum towards a tying goal. The Golden Bears would counter and try to expand on the lead, but Pulgar would make the save to keep the deficit to one. Once again, the Bison would gain momentum with six of the next eight shots. However, a Bison penalty would slow the momentum for them. The Golden Bears went on the power play. The Golden Bears had four shots on the power play, with three on net. Pulgar would make each save. After a timeout by the Bison, the Golden Bears had the game's final shot. The Bison tried to pull their goalie and get an extra skater for a goal, but the Golden Bears' defense stood their ground, and the Golden Bears won. The final stat line showed the Golden Bears with 56 total shots and 32 shots on goal. The Bison had 42 total shots and 29 shots on goal. The Golden Bears won more faceoffs 34-25 and had more power play opportunities, 2-1. The Bison had more blocked shots, 9-7. The Golden Bears won the game 1-0.

Inside the Crease:

• The Golden Bears took on the Bison in Rhode Island on Friday night.
• The opening period of play had no goals.
• The second period of play did not have a goal scored.
• Maddie Pope notched the game-winning goal 5:39 into the third period of play. Maddy Tucker had the assist. The Golden Bears led 1-0.
• Anamary Pulgar made 31 saves.
• Kayla Ireland made 29 saves and earned the shutout win.
• The Golden Bears won 1-0.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears will return to West Springfield for their second game of the weekend. They will host the Curry College Colonels on Senior Night. That game will be on Saturday, February 10, at 3:30 PM at the Olympia Ice Center.
• The Bison will travel to Biddeford, Maine, for their next game against the University of New England. That game will be on Saturday, February 10, at 4:00 PM in the Harold Alfond Forum.