Saint Anselm College

WORCESTER, Mass. – The Saint Anselm College men's ice hockey team opened Northeast 10 Conference play with a 4-1 victory over Assumption University on Friday evening at the Worcester Ice Center.

The Hawks improve to 2-1-0 overall and 1-0-0 in conference play, securing their second consecutive victory. Junior Keaton Richards led the offensive effort with two goals, including the game-winner, while junior Conor Kelly and sophomore Brendan Hirsch each found the back of the net. Senior goaltender PJ Benites recorded 40 saves through 49 minutes of action before senior Cam Carroll entered for the final 11 minutes, turning aside all 12 shots he faced.

Highlights

• Richards recorded his first two goals of the season, including the game-winning tally in the second period and an empty-net goal in the final minute.
• Kelly registered his first goal of the season and added an assist for a two-point performance.
• Hirsch netted his first goal of the season in the third period to restore the Hawks' two-goal advantage.
• Benites made 40 saves to earn his second consecutive victory, while Carroll contributed 12 saves in relief.
• Freshman George Acklin and sophomore Sebastian Rogles each recorded an assist on the opening goal.
• Saint Anselm finished with 37 shots on goal, while Assumption registered 53.
• The Hawks held the Greyhounds scoreless on all four power-play opportunities.

How It Happened
Saint Anselm opened the scoring at the 10:52 mark when Kelly netted his first goal of the season, assisted by Acklin and Rogles, to give the Hawks a 1-0 advantage.

Assumption generated 13 shots on goal in the opening period, but Benites turned aside all 13 attempts to preserve the lead.

The Hawks registered 11 shots on goal in the period and carried their one-goal advantage into the first intermission.

The Greyhounds increased their offensive pressure in the second period, recording 22 shots on goal, but Benites continued to hold Assumption scoreless.

At the 13:00 mark, Richards doubled the Hawks' advantage with his first goal of the season, finishing a play set up by Kelly to make it 2-0.

Saint Anselm successfully killed off two Assumption power plays in the period, maintaining its two-goal lead heading into the final 20 minutes.

Assumption broke through at the 9:00 mark when Daniel Lemanski scored off an assist from Jamison Alicandro, cutting the Hawks' lead to 2-1.

Carroll entered the game following the Greyhounds' goal and made 12 saves over the final 11 minutes to help preserve the advantage.

Just 3:35 later, Hirsch responded with an unassisted goal at the 12:35 mark, restoring Saint Anselm's two-goal cushion at 3-1.

With Assumption pulling its goaltender for an extra attacker in the closing minutes, Richards secured the victory with an unassisted empty-net goal at 19:05, sealing the 4-1 final.

Up Next
The Hawks (2-1-0, 1-0-0 NE10) return to action on Saturday, Nov. 7, traveling to face Framingham State University at 8 p.m. in non-conference action.