Seahawks top Nor'easters; claim top spot in CCC playoffs

BIDDEFORD, Maine – Paul Boutoussov scored 6:41 into the third period as Salve Regina University edged No.13 University of New England, 2-1, to clinch the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) men's ice hockey regular-season title on Saturday night at the Harold Alfond Forum.

The Seahawks (17-6-2, 13-3-1 CCC) earn a first-round bye into the semifinals next Saturday (Feb. 23). The Nor'easters (17-6-2, 11-5-1 CCC) drop to the third seed for the upcoming championship, which will begin in Biddeford on Wednesday night (7 p.m.) against sixth-seeded Wentworth Institute of Technology.
 
After a scoreless opening period, UNE struck first at the 9:25 mark of the second on an odd-man rush. Brett Mecrones put home his 11th of the year with the aid of Liam Neuman and Dimitris Jones.
 
Salve Regina tied the game just over four minutes later as the puck found Danny Eruzione just as he was leaving the penalty box. Eruzione hit Kyle Moore with his next move for a one-timer inside the left post.
 
Eruzione added his second assist on the Boustoussov game-winner in the final frame.
 
Blake Wojtala had 29 stops for the visitors, while Ben Churchfield finished with 36 saves on the night for UNE.