WATERBURY, Conn. (January 8, 2025) – The Golden Bears returned from winter break with a non-conference matchup with the Eagles of Post University on Wednesday afternoon. The Eagles opened the game with two goals in the first period of play. The Golden Bears answered with a Justin Sullivan goal in the second, a Jordie Morgan goal in the third, and a Brayden Patricia goal in the third to take the 3-2 lead. The Eagles equalized late in the third to send the contest to overtime, where Post scored to win the game 4-3.

Records:

Western New England: 3-8-1 (1-6-1)

Post University: 5-9-0 (3-5-0)

How it Happened:

The game began with Luca Scaglione in net for the Golden Bears and Benjamin Cunneen across the ice in net for the Eagles. The Eagles start quickly. They had five of the first six shots and tested Scaglione once. The Golden Bears answered with three shots in a row and tested Cunneen once. However, after a Post faceoff win, Tanner Glasrud would receive the puck from Holden Beckett, found the back of the net for the Eagles, and gave them a 1-0 lead 4:41 into the contest. The pace of play would continue at a high velocity, with both teams trading shot opportunities. Both Cunneen and Scaglione made multiple saves, and the defenses did well directing shots away from the goalies. However, Post would strike for a second time in the opening period of play. Holden Beckett would find Conner Murray in front of the net. Murray placed the puck past the WNE goalie and into the net to double the Post lead, 2-0. The Golden Bears would hold steady after those early goals. Post would send more shots at Scaglione than the Golden Bears sent at Cunneen, but Scaglione would make the saves and keep the deficit at two. The Eagles went on the power-play before the end of the opening period of play. They had three shots, and the Golden Bears had a shorthanded shot also before the end of the power play. The opening period of play ended soon after, with the Eagles leading 2-0. The first period of play stats saw Post leading in shots 26-17, shots on goal 16-11, faceoff wins 18-11, and power play chances 1-0. The Golden Bears had more saves, 14-11.

The second period of play saw the Eagles hold the Golden Bears off for a while, but WNE would find a goal towards the end of the second. The Golden Bears tried to get out to a quick start with three shots in a row. However, the Eagles responded with five shots in a row. The teams went back and forth before WNE was called for a penalty, and Post had another power play chance. They had two shots before a penalty was called on Post, and the teams returned to even play, going 4-on-4. Both teams had a shot before both teams were given a penalty, and play went to 3-on-3 for five seconds. WNE had a short power play, which saw them have two shots but no goals. The teams traded shots and possession for a little while afterward. Then, it was Justin Sullivan who would get the Golden Bears on the board. Sam Logan sent a shot at the net, which was saved. Jordie Morgan would receive the puck and find Justin Sullivan, who scored. The Golden Bears trailed 2-1 with 5:47 left in the second. The teams returned to trading possession and shots for the remainder of the second until both teams were called for minor penalties, which resulted in the teams playing the remaining 1:55 of the second period of play 4-on-4. Each team took two shots before the final horn in the second. The second period of play stats saw Post still lead in shots 24-21 and shots on goal 15-14. WNE had more faceoff wins, 18-17, and saves 15-13. Both teams had one power play attempt.

The third period of play saw the lead change hands once, but a tie score at the end of the third would lead to overtime. The teams would trade shots early, but WNE would string four shots in a row to put pressure on the Eagles. The Eagles would respond, and the teams would send the puck back and forth while getting some shots on goal. 8:59 into the third, the Eagles were called for a penalty, giving WNE another power play opportunity. 18 seconds later, Jordie Morgan tied the contest 2-2. Jake Mendeszoon started the play by sending the puck to Camille Marcouz, who got the puck to Morgan, who sent it past the goalie for the power play goal. The game was tied 2-2 with 10:43 left in the third. It did not take long for the Golden Bears to take the lead after that. 58 seconds later, Brayden Patricia found the back of the net to give the Golden Bears the 3-2 lead. Benito Calvanese would find Nolan Dawson, who directed the puck to Patricia for the shot and the goal. WNE led 3-2 with 9:45 remaining in the third. Post would not shy away from the challenge of tying the game up at three goals. They earned a power play chance with 9:15 remaining. They took five shots on the power play and three more in a row after the power play. WNE had a shot and tried to halt the Eagles' momentum. However, it would not, and with 2:20 remaining in the third, Aidan Canady found the back of the net on an unassisted goal, and Post tied the game 3-3. The teams traded shots to end the third. Stats in the third saw Post lead in shots 21-14, shots on goal 12-10, and faceoffs won 14-12. WNE led in saves 11-8. Both teams had one power play attempt.

Post took complete control in overtime. They took all eight shots in overtime, including the game-winning goal. Aidan Canady had a shot go wide, which Jonathan Meijer was able to control and send into the back of the net to win the game for the Eagles. Final shot stats were in favor of the Eagles, 76-55 for total shots and 46-37 for shots on goal. Post had more faceoff wins 52-43, and WNE had more blocked shots 9-8 and saves 42-34. Post had three power-play chances compared to WNE's two. Post defeated WNE 4-3.

Coach's Corner:

Men's Ice Hockey head coach Mike Young was asked for a quote about today's game and was asked what the team needed to do better going into their next game on Saturday. "We were too lackadaisical in the first 20 minutes, and those 2 goals against ended up being our downfall. From the start of the 2nd to the end of the 3rd, we won 3-1, but you can't spot 20 minutes to any team in the country. We need to get better at starts, something that was an issue in the first semester as well. We're working at it but haven't found the full solution yet," Young responded.

Inside the Crease:

• The Golden Bears traveled to the Sports Center of Connecticut for a matinee matchup with Post University.
• 1st 4:41 - Tanner Glasrud netted a goal assisted by Holden Beckett to give the Eagles the early 1-0 advantage.
• 1st 10:08 – Conner Murray doubled the Eagles' lead with a goal off an assist from Holden Beckett. The Eagles led 2-0.
• 2nd 14:13 – Justin Sullivan cut the deficit in half with a goal assisted by Jordie Morgan and Sam Logan. The Eagles led 2-1.
• 3rd 9:17 – Jordie Morgan equalized the game with a power-play goal assisted by Camille Marcoux and Jake Mendeszoon. The game was tied 2-2.
• 3rd 10:15 – Brayden Patricia gave the Golden Bears the lead with a goal assisted by Nolan Dawson and Benito Calvanese. The Golden Bears led 3-2.
• 3rd 17:40 – Aidan Canady tied the contest with an unassisted goal. The game was tied 3-3.
• OT 3:42 – Jonathan Meijer scored the game-winning goal off an assist from Aidan Canady. The Eagles led 4-3.
• Luca Scaglione made 42 saves.
• Benjamin Cunneen made 34 saves and earned the Eagles the overtime win.
• The Eagles beat the Golden Bears 4-3.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears will travel to SUNY Morrisville for a 7:00 PM showdown on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at the SUNY Morrisville IcePlex.
• The Eagles will travel to Franklin Pierce University on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 8:00 PM for their next contest.