MALBOROUGH, Mass. – Southern New Hampshire University defeated Becker College 8-1 in non-conference men's ice hockey action Friday evening at the New England Sports Center. The win lifts the Penmen to 5-5 on the year, while the Ice Hawks sink to 3-9.

Southern New Hampshire got on the board 15:30 into the first period when Jim Gabrione (Boca Raton, Fla.) blasted a slap shot past Greg Hussey (Medford, Mass.) for a power play goal.

Becker tied the game 3:29 into the second period when Connor Merrick (Manchester, N.H.) gathered a rebound in front of the net on a Justin Erhart slap shot, backhanding it past Ryan Slatky (Manchester, N.H.) for the equalizer.

The Penmen responded 25 seconds later when Dane Caracino (Belmont, Mass.)  blistered a slap shot past Hussey. Southern New Hampshire added to their lead 11:19 into the second period on a John Humphrey (Charlestown, Mass.) one-timer to make the score 3-1. The Penmen increased their lead to 4-1 on a shorthanded goal from Timothy Baylis (West Haven, Conn.). Southern New Hampshire scored another shorthanded goal with 2:56 remaining in the period when Kevin Lorcher (Rouen, France) found John Humphrey for a one-timer next to the left post.

The Penmen continued to add to their lead with three more unanswered goals in the third period. Joe Collins (Mansfield, Mass.) connected a pass to Dane Caracino next to the right post for his second goal of the game. Nathan Bergeron (Auburn, Maine) got in on the scoring when he broke free on a two on one with Jim Gabrione to make the score 7-1. Joe Collins added the final tally to make the score 8-1.

Ryan Slatky made 25 saves to earn the win for the Penmen, while Gregg Hussey and Eric Sugrue (Maples, Fla.) combined to make 32 saves for Becker.

Becker returns to action on Sunday, January 4 when they host SUNY Canton at 4:50 p.m. The Penmen return to the ice on Monday, January 5 when they travel to Brockport at 7:00 p.m.