MANCHESTER, N.H. – The Saint Anselm College men's ice hockey team suffered a 2-1 loss to cross-town rival Southern New Hampshire University on Friday evening. Junior
Luke Mix (Winchester, Mass.) scored his third goal of the season in the loss and is now tied for the team-lead in points with 17.
UP NEXT:
- Saint Anselm hosts Southern New Hampshire once again on Saturday, February 10th from the Sullivan Arena at 4:00 p.m.
Score: Saint Anselm 1, Southern New Hampshire 2
Records: Saint Anselm 7-16-2 (5-10-2 NE10), Southern New Hampshire 11-11-2 (9-7-1 NE10)
Location: Manchester, N.H. (Thomas F. Sullivan Arena)
Date: Friday, February 9, 2024
Attendance: 427
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Saint Anselm generated most of the offensive chances in the first period, totaling nine shot attempts, but Southern New Hampshire goaltender Collin Berke was able to keep a clean sheet through the opening 20 minutes. The Hawks defense performed exceptionally well in the opening frame, holding the Penmen to just four shots on goal and blocking nine shots to keep the game scoreless.
- 4:47 into the second period, Southern New Hampshire lost an offensive zone faceoff, but applied the forecheck and forced a turnover right in front of the Saint Anselm goal. The puck landed right on the stick of Kurt Watson, who went glove side to put the Penmen in front, 1-0.
- Saint Anselm seemed unfazed and responded very well after giving up the goal. Junior Max Burum (Marshfield, Mass.) led a positive shift for the Hawks by winning four faceoffs that led to three shots on goal, but all were stopped by Berke.
- About midway through the second, Saint Anselm had two point blank opportunities right in front of the net by Burum and junior Hunter Brackett (Harwick Port, Mass.), but Berke once again stood his ground to preserve the shutout for the time being.
- The Southern New Hampshire goaltender continued to feel confident after making ten more saves in a row for the Penmen, but the Hawks finally broke through with four minutes to play in the second frame. Freshman Hunter Rossi (Long Island, N.Y.) collected the puck behind the Penmen net and pushed it along the boards to freshman Steve Armstrong (Victor, N.Y.). Armstrong then made a pass out in front to Mix, whose one-timer found the back of the net for his third goal of the season to tie the score.
- Despite Saint Anselm seeming to have all the momentum, Southern New Hampshire quickly regained the lead 29 seconds after Mix's goal. The Penmen forced another turnover the Hawks' defensive zone and the puck made its way to Ethan Rodriguez. His wrist shot was deflected through traffic in front of goal as the puck floated up and over Hawks freshan goaltender Cam Carroll (Putnam Valley, N.Y.) and into the back of the net.
- Things started to get chippy at the end of the second period, with both teams picking up penalties in the closing minutes. Saint Anselm senior Tommy Schwartz (Ridgefield, Conn.) was sent off for a minor roughing penalty, while Southern New Hampshire's Matt Amante was given a five minute major spearing penalty. There were no goals scored during the two minutes of four-on-four play to end the period, but Saint Anselm began the third with 2:35 of power play time remaining.
- The Hawks kept the puck in the offensive zone for most of the remaining time on the man-advantage and totaled three shots on goal, but they could not tie the score. Carroll came up big in goal for the home team over the next five minutes, turning aside six Penmen shots to keep his team down by just a goal.
- With three minutes to play and Saint Anselm still trailing by one, junior Will van der Veen (Duxbury, Mass.) let off a shot from the point that made its way through traffic, but clanged off the pipe before being cleared away. The Hawks pulled Carroll for the extra skater in the final 1:20, but could not get the puck past Berke before time expired.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Saint Anselm more than doubled up Southern New Hampshire in shots on goal, 47-22. The Hawks also held a vast advantage in total shot attempts, leading the Penmen, 77-44.
- The battle on the faceoff dot was very even throughout the game with Saint Anselm coming away with 34 of 67 draws. Southern New Hampshire led in blocked shots, 15-14.
- Both teams were held scoreless on their power play opportunities.
- Mix scored his third goal of the season and is now tied for the Hawks team-lead with 17 points, while Armstrong and Rossi each picked up their first career assist.
- Watson and Anthony Marchant were credited with goals for the Penmen.
- Carroll stopped 20 shots on 22 shots faced, while Berke made 46 saves and allowed one goal.
- This marked the 58th all-time meeting between these two programs. Saint Anselm falls to 42-14-2 all-time against Southern New Hampshire.
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