Seahawks and Bison tie in meeting of top two CCC squads

HARRISVILLE, R.I. –  Junior Ryan Hunter (Missisauga, Ontario)scored his first collegiate goal in Nichols College's 1-1 tie with Salve Regina University Saturday evening in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) men's ice hockey action at Levy Rink.

Junior netminder Colin Brennan (Chester, N.J.) turned aside 35 saves for the Bison while classmate Chris Deming (Madison, Ala.) and sophomore T.J. Roche (Northport, N.Y.) collected assists on Hunter's tally. The contest was a rematch of last season's ECAC Northeast Semifinal, which the Seahawks won 3-0.

Sophomore Blake Wojtala (Trenton, Mich.) stopped 41 shots for the Seahawks, who killed off all eight Nichols power play opportunities and earned a point despite being outshot 42-36. Sophomore Shaun Patry (Penfield, N.Y.) potted his first goal of the season in the third with the man advantage to tie the game.

Nichols outshot the Seahawks 10-2 in the first but could not score despite receiving three power play opportunities. Salve Regina bounced back in the second to outshoot Nichols 17-14, but trailed 1-0 after 40 minutes on Hunter's first goal as a Bison. Roche sent a long outlet pass to Deming, who broke into the offensive zone and hit Hunter with a cross-ice pass for the goal at 15:05.

Brennan made the lead hold up with several outstanding saves in the third, including one on senior Tommy Evangelista (Methuen, Mass.) eight minutes in and another on junior James Malone (Beachwood, N.J.) with six minutes remaining. 

The Seahawks tied the game at one when freshman Hogan Davidson (Duluth, Minn.) was sent off for holding at 13:21 of the third. Roche lost his stick during the PK, essentially giving SRU a 5-on-3. Patry took a pass from freshman Jack Billings (Oak Lawn, Ill.) and knocked it past Brennan at the left post at 14:37.

All-Time Series

Tonight's contest was the 35th all-time meeting between Nichols College and Salve Regina University. The Bison lead the series, 20-12-3, and are 4-0-1 in their last five against the Seahawks.

Next Games

Nichols (5-1-1, 4-1-1 CCC) – Saturday, November 26 @ Elmira, 7:00 p.m.

Salve Regina (6-1-1, 5-0-1 CCC) – Wednesday, November 30 vs Wentworth, 7:05 p.m.