BABSON PARK, MASS. – Mike Richard (Derry, N.H.) scored two goals to lead the Saint Anselm College men's ice hockey team over Babson College, 3-1, Friday night in ECAC East men's hockey action at Babson Skating Park.
Winning the season opener, the Hawks jump out to a 1-0-0 mark on the young season and 1-0-0 in ECAC East play, while the Beavers drop to 0-1-0 and 0-1-0 in league play. Tonight's win snapped Babson's 13-game unbeaten streak (11-0-2) against the Hawks. It marked Saint Anselm's first win both against Babson and at Babson since it recorded a 4-3 victory Feb. 5. 2000.
After a scoreless first period, Saint Anselm jumped on the board at 3:20 of the second to snap the scoreless deadlock. Freshman Bryan Sullivan (Burlington, Mass.) received a pass from junior Greg Crovo (Melrose, Mass.) on the left wing and fed it across the slot, where junior Eric Czapka (Holland, Pa.) one-timed the puck just inside the right post for his first goal of the season and a 1-0 Saint Anselm lead.
Babson answered back with 55 seconds left in the second stanza to tie the game at one when Connor Berto sent a wrister to the back of the net past Saint Anselm goaltender Robert Kang (Glen Rock, N.J.).
Richard came to life in the third period at 1:52 as he netted a one-timer after receiving a centering pass from senior Tim King (Weymouth, Mass.). Richard, standing just outside the crease, sent the puck past Babson goalie Zeke Testa. Liam McKillop (New York, N.Y.) also picked up a helper on the play.
The New Hampshire native struck again at 13:46 when he intercepted a clearing pass far into the Babson zone and rifled a shot through several players in the low slot to give the Hawks their 3-1 edge.
Kang made a career-high 45 saves, while Testa finished with 23 stops.
The Hawks return to action Saturday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. when they continue their season on the road facing off against UMass Boston. The next home game for the Hawks is Friday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. when they play host to Norwich. 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).
