Box Score

MANCHESTER, N.H. – Senior co-captain Bryan Sullivan (Burlington, Mass.) scored the game-winning goal only 16 seconds into overtime to help the Saint Anselm College men's ice hockey team to a 4-3 victory over Saint Michael's College on Friday night in New England Hockey Conference action at the Sullivan Arena in Manchester, N.H.

The Hawks improve to 10-6-1 overall and 6-5-1 in the NEHC, while the Purple Knights drop to 4-13-0 and 2-10-0 in conference games.

Freshman Bryan Green (Weymouth, Mass.) scored a pair of goals including the game-tying goal 18:22 into the third period. Green has five goals in his last two games including a hat-trick in Tuesday's win over Franklin Pierce University. Green's classmate Colin Soucy (North Andover, Mass.) stopped 18-of-21 shots on the night to pick up his second win of the season.

The two teams played to a 0-0 draw through the first 20 minutes of action with Saint Anselm holding a 12-10 advantage in shots on goal in the opening period.

Early in the second period, the Hawks were called for an interference penalty that they successfully killed off. As time expired on the penalty, Saint Anselm was called for a tripping penalty that would prove costly as Kevin Altidor scored on the man-advantage to give the Purple Knights a 1-0 lead six minutes into the second frame. Nic Hermary moved a pass to Sam D'Antuono at the point and he fired a shot that was blocked down. Altidor was there for the rebound and his slap shot from just inside the right face-off circle found the back of the net.

The Hawks answered back just under six minutes later as Jon Pallotta (Leominster, Mass.) played a pass down low to Jeremy Carignan (Amos, Quebec). Carignan hit Bryan Green with a one-timer in front that got under the post and tied the game at 1-1.

Saint Anselm earned a power play of their own in the closing minutes of the second period and made the Purple Knights pay. The Hawks cycled the puck around and Tyler Estee (Bow, N.H.) took possession at the point. Estee slid the puck over to Patrick Horrocks (Braintree, Mass.) who fired a shot on net that was tipped past the goalie by Nick Leonard (Methuen, Mass.) to give Saint Anselm a 2-1 lead headed into the final period of play.

The Purple Knights found an equalizer in the opening minute of the third period as Connor Mitchell hit Nick Hermary with a one-timer in front of the net to tie the game at 2-2 only 26 seconds into the frame. Saint Michael's pulled ahead 6:20 into the third as Altidor struck again for the visitors. Colin Biebel forced his way through the Hawk defense and the puck slipped free to Altidor, who beat Soucy one-on-one with a backhander to put the Purple Knights on top 3-2.

With less than two minutes to play in regulation, Saint Michael's called timeout after a stoppage to set up their defense. The break in action worked for the Hawks instead as Carignan won the ensuing face-off leading to a break out for CJ Blaszka (Brookfield, Conn.) and Bryan Green with only the goaltender to beat. Blaszka drew in Chris Johnson with a deke and played a pass to Green who fired on the open net to tie the game and send it to overtime.

In the extra frame, Nick Leonard won the opening face-off and after a couple of passes, Mark Meads (Middleton, Mass.) worked his way up the right side and fired a shot on net that was blocked away by Johnson. The puck caromed over to Bryan Sullivan who took advantage of the goalie being out of position and went top-shelf for the game winner only 16 seconds into overtime.

Saint Anselm held a 44-21 advantage in shots in the game, while going 1-for-3 on power plays compared to a 1-for-2 showing for Saint Michael's. Chris Johnson suffered the setback, stopping 40-of-44 shots on the night.

The Hawks are back in action tomorrow afternoon when they welcome nationally-ranked Norwich University for a 4:00 p.m. matchup with the Cadets in New England Hockey Conference action.

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 and following us on Twitter @STAHawks.