Nichols stops Ice Dogs, 4-2, in non-conference opener for both teams
November 7, 2009Nichols 4, Assumption 2
HARRISVILLE, RI --- Sophomore forward ANDREW LETELLIER (Saco, ME) scored his first goal of the season on the power play at 17:51 of the third period as Nichols College defeated Assumption College, 4 2, in the non-conference ice hockey opener for both teams here SATURDAY night at the June Levy Rink.
The Greyhounds trailed twice early in the contest only to come-from-behind to tie the game both times. Sophomore center TAYLOR LARSEN (Blackstone, MA/Worcester Academy) deadlocked the contest at 2-2 with a shorthanded goal at 9:23 of the second period and freshman left wing KEVEN MEEHAN (Melrose, MA/Tilton School) scored his first career goal to tie it at 18:21 of the first period.
The Bison scored right out-of-the-gate as sophomore forward ZACH HENDRICKSON (Framingdale, NY) scored his first goal of the season. Junior center MATT ROBERTS (Merrimac, MA) won the faceoff and Hendrickson's shot hit the upper corner of the net on the first shot of the game.
Freshman goalkeeper RYAN CASEY (Pelham, NH) was the story in the first period making nine saves as the Bison killed off three power play opportunities for the Hounds. Meehan scored the equalizer capping off a 3-on-2 break led by junior left wing ADAM GAUDREAU (Londonderry, NH/Londonderry/Tilton School) and junior defenseman MATT SCIOLI (North Reading, MA/North Reading/Bridgton Academy).
The teams traded goals in the second period within 53 seconds. The Bison freshman forward DUSTIN SKINNER (Andover, MN) netted his first goal on a feed from junior forward MATT SAYER (Lowell, MA) at 8:30 on the power play. Sayer finished with a goal and an assist to earn the game's No. 1 star. Larsen tied it with a shorthanded goal less than a minute later as sophomore right wing PAT O'KANE (Hollis, NH/Bishop Guertin/Williston-Northampton) assisted.
Letellier scored on a point slapshot on the power play to give the Bison the lead (3-2) and Sayer added an empty-net goals with 34 seconds left to account for the final.
Hounds sophomore goalkeeper NICK BLANCHETTE (Stuart, FL/Worcester Academy) made 27 saves over 50:41 before leaving the game with an injury and senior JAMIE DI GIULIO (Peabody, MA/Bishop Fenwick/Tilton School) finished with 12 saves over the final 8:14 to earn the games No. 3 star. Casey made 24 saves in net for the Bison earning the No. 2 star. Nichols outshot the Greyhounds, 43-26.
The Bison had an advantage converting two of eight power-play opportunities, while the Greyhounds were stymied in five attempts.
Nichols is back in action SATURDAY (November 14), in a 3:30 p.m. home game against Franklin Pierce. The Greyhounds travel to the Wallace Civic Center in Fitchburg for a first-round clash with Fitchburg State in the IC Credit Union Shootout FRIDAY (November 13).
