NORTH ADAMS, Mass. (November 25, 2025) – The Golden Bears and Trailblazers battled in North Adams, Massachusetts, on Tuesday. After a scoreless first period, it was Camille Marcoux who gave the Golden Bears the lead off an assist from Gavin Mastrodonato. The Golden Bears would go up 2-0 thanks to Brayden Patricia, but would see MCLA storm back to tie the game 2-2 in the third period. Goals from Stepan Kuznetsov and Philippe Longchamps would secure the WNE victory, 4-3.

Records:

Western New England: 1-5-0 (0-4-0)

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts: 1-5-2 (0-2-1)

How it Happened:

First Period:

• Lochlan Lauer was given the start in goal for WNE, while Rocco Stolz started the game in net for MCLA.
• The first period saw the Golden Bears have four of the first six shots, but they also had to kill off a penalty. During the penalty, the Golden Bears did not let up a shot and took a shorthanded shot.
• The Golden Bears had two powerplay chances back-to-back and accumulated nine shots. However, none of the shots would get past Stolz.
• Neither team would find the opening goal in the first period. WNE had more shots on goal, 13-4, but lost the battle at the faceoff spot, 19-7.
• MCLA picked up a power play chance with thirty-five seconds left in the opening period, and they would start the second on the power play.

Second Period:

• The Golden Bears started the second with the first two shots, even though they were on the penalty kill, which set the momentum for WNE.
• The Golden Bears picked up the majority of the shots early in the second period. However, MCLA would fight back with seven shots in a row to slow the WNE momentum.
• The Golden Bears had to kill off another penalty before they would break the 0-0 deadlock in the 15th minute of the second period.
• Camille Marcoux would net the opening goal. Gavin Mastrodonato was credited with the assist, and WNE led 1-0.
• The teams traded shots to end the second period, and with Lauer making saves in net and the defense keeping MCLA from open shots, the Golden Bears took a 1-0 lead into the final period of regulation.
• WNE still had a lead in shots on goal after the second, 29-20, and made up some ground in faceoff wins, but still trailed 26-19 throughout two periods of play. Both teams were credited with six blocked shots in the second, after four in the first, so each had 10 after two periods.

Third Period:

• The third period saw almost all of the goal-scoring. It started with eight consecutive shots from the Golden Bears.
• After an MCLA penalty in the fourth minute of the third, the Golden Bears had three shots, including a Brayden Patricia goal. Stepan Kuznetsov was credited with the assist, and WNE led 2-0 early in the third.
• MCLA would battle back, starting when WNE was called for an interference penalty in the 8th minute. Sam Perdion scored just as time was about to expire on their power play. Jacob Smith assisted on the goal, and WNE's lead was cut in half, 2-1.
• MCLA scored a second 1:35 after the previous goal. Spencer Craig's goal, assisted by Jacob Smith, evened the game at 2-2 after WNE had held a 2-0 lead earlier in the third.
• The Golden Bears responded immediately with four of the next five shots, including a Stepan Kuznetsov goal assisted by Michael Bottrell in the 12th minute. WNE had the lead back 3-2, and they would not relinquish it.
• The Golden Bears controlled play after that, including the shots. That would lead to the team picking up a fourth goal in the 17th minute. Philippe Longchamps found the back of the net off an assist from Michael Bottrell and Stepan Kuznetsov, and WNE looked close to securing their first win of the season.
• However, MCLA's Kieran Kenny got a pass from Charlie Addesa and scored to put some doubt in the minds of the Golden Bears. However, they would not budge and won the game, 4-3.

Inside the Crease:

• The Golden Bears won against the Trailblazers 4-3.
• Stepan Kuznetsov led the Golden Bears with a goal and two assists for three points.
• Michael Bottrell had two points with his two assists.
• Philippe Longchamps and Brayden Patricia netted the other two goals for WNE.
• Lochlan Lauer made 26 saves in goal for WNE and ended the contest with a .897 save percentage.
• WNE had more shots, 45-29.
• MCLA had more saves, 41-26, faceoff wins, 43-38, and blocked shots, 17-14.
• Matt Smith picked up his first career win as a collegiate head coach.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears will travel to Roger Williams University for their first-ever meeting with the Hawks at 5:00 PM on Friday, December 5, 2025, at Driscoll Arena.