BIDDEFORD, Maine – Led by Justin Longo's (Wakefield, Mass.) two-point game, five different Hawks scored a goal as the Saint Anselm men's hockey team returned to ECAC East play with a late 5-2 win Friday night at the University of New England.

The win improves the Hawks to 5-6-1 overall and 4-3-1 in league play while the Nor'easters dropped to 4-9 overall and 2-6 in the ECAC East.

In a game that saw 61 combined minutes of penalties, Saint Anselm was outshot by UNE 38-29—the first time the Hawks were outshot since a 5-1 loss to Norwich on November 21. Yet it was Saint Anselm who took advantage of a pair of power play opportunities and play some inspired defense to secure a tough road win.

With Saint Anselm clinging to a 3-2 lead in the third period, junior Tyler Estee (Bow, N.H.) took a set-up cross from Joey Agliato (Hauppauge, N.Y.) and slapped home a shot from the high slot to give the Hawks some breathing room. Junior Bryan Sullivan (Burlington, Mass.) added an insurance goal from senior Sean Jenkins (Boston, Mass.) just 1:27 later, converting on the right doorstep to cap off the victory.

Junior Mark Meads (Middleton, Mass.) opened the scoring on a power play goal at the 9:33 mark of the first period, taking a pass from senior Johnny Daniels (Andover, Mass.) near the right circle. Sophomore CJ Blaszka (Brookfield, Conn.) picked up a secondary assist on the game-opening play.

Exactly one minute later the Nor'easters answered with a goal by freshman Ian Rodden, who tallied his first collegiate score.

The Hawks would break the 1-1 tie with back-to-back goals in the second period as a shot from Longo was rebounded and put away by Nick Leonard (Methuen, Mass.) just 2:53 into the second stanza. Longo then scored short side from the right circle just over five minutes later on assists from sophomore Peter Sikalis (Acton, Mass.) and freshman Christian Smith (West Newbury, Mass.).

UNE would close to within one goal with an opening power play score midway through the third period, but the Hawks would hold on for their third win in the last four outings.

Freshman goaltender Shane Joyce (Pembroke, Mass.) improved to 5-3-1 with Friday's win, recording a season-high 36 saves.

Saint Anselm will remain in Maine overnight, taking on the Huskies of Southern Maine in a 4 p.m. Saturday matinee.

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