MANCHESTER, N.H. – Pier-Olivier Cotnoir scored a hatrick en route to second-ranked Norwich University's 4-0 victory over the Saint Anselm College men's ice hockey team Friday night at Thomas F. Sullivan Arena.

With the loss, the Hawks drop to 2-2-1 overall and in the ECAC East, while the Cadets stand at a perfect 4-0-0 overall on the season and in the league.

The first two periods of play were tightly contested and ended with no scoring. Saint Anselm came out of the first stanza 0-for-3 on the power play, while Norwich ended the first period 0-for-2.

Norwich was able to snap the scoreless deadlock at 6:23 of the third period as Colin Mulvey grabbed a pass from Tory Allan on the left and snuck the puck past the left side of Saint Anselm goaltender Robert Kang (Glen Rock, N.J.).

Just 22 seconds later, Cotnoir netted his first of the night on feeds from Kyle Thomas and Chris Duszynski at 6:45. Thomas, at the bottom of the right circle, sent a pass across the crease to Cotnoir who put it behind Kang at the left post. 

Cotnoir struck again at 12:20 when he sent a sharp wrister into the top right corner of the net before Kang had time to react. Duszynski picked up his second helper of the game on the play.

The final punch from the Cadets came with 20 seconds left in the contest on a 6-on-5 when Cotnoir sent the puck into the empty Hawk net on a dish from Mulvey.

Each netminder made 23 saves over three periods of play.

Norwich held a 27-23 advantage in shots on goal.

The Hawks return to action Saturday, Nov. 17 at 3 p.m. when they play host to Saint Michael's College at Sullivan Arena. Stay up-to-date with the latest news, including game previews and recaps, directly from the Saint Anselm College athletic department by liking us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/STAHawks) and following us on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/STAHawks).