Power Plays Push No. 12 UNE by Men’s Hockey, 4-2

BIDDEFORD, Maine – Suffolk men's hockey scored first, but No. 12 University of New England capitalized on the power play with three man-up goals to take down the Rams, 4-2, in Conference of New England play Friday night at Harold Alfond Forum.  

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 2 | No. 12 University of New England 4
RECORDS: Suffolk (8-6-2, 3-5-1 CNE) | No. 12 University of New England (10-5-1, 6-3-0 CNE) 

HOW IT HAPPENED
Nolan Leonard was responsible for scoring in the first period as he tucked the puck away at the 13:48 mark thanks to help from Evan England and Adam McNabney.  

The Rams edge was erased in the second stanza as UNE used a power play marker off Dominic Murphy's stick to make it 1-all. That score stood as the teams headed to the locker room for the second time.  

The Nor'Easters took the lead 4:06 into the third when Noah Sretter found the back of the cage. 

Back-to-back power play goals by UNE sent the host ahead 4-1 with 8:26 left in regulation.  

Joe O'Brien pulled the blue-and-gold back within a pair when the sophomore struck at the 15:02 mark. Scott McManus and Nick Liotino assisted on the goal. 

After the goal, UNE was whistled for a major penalty, which gave Suffolk an extra skater for the final five minutes. To add more sticks on the ice and have more chances with poking another marker on the board CJ Hapward left his position between the pipes with 2:36 to play.  

Suffolk's comeback was kept at bay and the 4-2 setback remained at the final buzzer.  

NETMINDER NOTES

• Hapward had 32 saves in the loss. 
• Joey Stanizzi regisetered 21 stops in the victory.  

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• Leonard and O'Brien scored one goal each for Suffolk. 
• England, McNabney, McManus and Liotino notched one assist apiece. 
• UNE outshot Suffolk, 36-23. 
• The Nor'Easeters went 3-for-5 on the power play. 
• UNE won the face-off battle, 39-27. 
• Suffolk was unable to take advantage of its three man-up chances.  

NOTEWORTHY

• The two goals scored against the University of New England for the first time since Jan. 12, 2024. 
• Leonard logged his first collegiate goal. The freshman has produced one point in back-to-back games. 
• O'Brien has found the back of the net in two consecutive contests. 
• England produced his second assist of the year. 
• McNabney logged his first point of the season with one helper. 
• McManus dished out one assist in two straight outings. 
• Liotino produced his fourth helper of the season.  

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk is off the rest of the weekend and turns its attention to its home-and-home series with Endicott that is on tap Jan. 24-25. The Rams visit Beverly, Massachusetts, Friday at 5:00 p.m., before hosting the Gulls Saturday at 7:00 p.m.