WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (February 13, 2026) – The Golden Bears hosted the Suffolk University Rams in an instant classic at the Olympia Ice Center. After conceding a goal late in the first period of play, the Golden Bears scored a goal in the second and third periods of play to take the Rams to overtime. Brayden Patricia and Mathew Fortin scored the goals to lead WNE to overtime. However, 17 seconds into overtime, the Rams scored and took the win 3-2.

Records:
Western New England: 5-18-0 (3-15-0)
Suffolk University: 14-7-1 (13-3-1)

How it Happened:
First Period:

• WNE saw Luca Scaglione start in goal. Scaglione would face the first six shots on goal before a shot was sent at Suffolk's Austin McNicholas. Scalione kept the Golden Bears in the game early.
• Suffolk had 18 of the next 19 shots, with the eighteenth shot finding the netting of the Golden Bear goal. Matthew Pimental scored for the Rams off assists from Gavin Havens and Tommy Whitford in the 16th minute of the first period of play. WNE trailed 1-0.
• After a WNE shot, Suffolk had thirteen in a row to end the first. The Rams also ended the first on the power play. They led WNE in total shots (41-8), shots on goal (27-4), and faceoff wins (12-6). WNE had more saves, 26-4.

Second Period:

• WNE killed off the Rams' power play chance early in the second to swing momentum their way. They got two shots in a row before the Rams answered with ten and had all the momentum back. The Golden Bears had two power-play chances that they could not capitalize on.
• Then, with 7:46 left in the second, Mathew Fortin found the goal for WNE to tie the game at one. Jimmy Mettler and Camille assisted the goal. However, just over five minutes later, Alex Ondos netted a goal for the Rams and gave Suffolk the one-goal lead back. Matthew Pimental and Jack Kircher assisted the goal.
• The Rams ended the second similarly to the first, with the team on the power play. The Rams outshot WNE 37-15 and had more shots on goal, 26-9. They also won more faceoffs, 20-7.

Third Period:

• The third saw the Rams keep WNE quiet for a while. Suffolk had five of the first six shots of the third period of play. However, WNE killed off two power plays and then had one of their own. They had four shots on the power play, but no goal.
• The teams would trade shots, with WNE coming close to a goal but no luck at first. Then, with 4:04 left in the contest, Brayden Patricia found the back of the net on the power play. Mathew Fortin and Everest Schneider were credited with the assists. WNE and Suffolk were tied 2-2.
• The third would see the Rams end it with five consecutive shots before the game went to overtime. 17 seconds into overtime, the Rams' Nolan Leonard scored off assists from Aidan O'Connell and Michael Gallagher. WNE fell 3-2 in overtime.
• The final stats saw the Rams lead in shots 98-38, shots on goal 65-20, blocked shots 12-9, and faceoff wins 48-17.

Inside the Crease:

• WNE fell to Suffolk 3-2 in overtime.
• The Rams saw Matthew Pimental lead the team with two points and score one goal.
• Alex Ondos and Nolan Leonard joined Pimental in scoring for the Rams.
• WNE's Mathew Fortin led WNE with two points, including a goal. Brayden Patricia joined Fortin in scoring for WNE.
• Luca Scaglione made 62 saves and recorded a save percentage of .954.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears will hit the road for a conference contest against the Rams in Boston, Massachusetts, at 4:50 PM on Saturday, February 14, 2026.