MALBOROUGH, Mass.- Nichols College defeated Becker College 3-1 in ECAC Northeast men's ice hockey action Friday evening at the New England Sports Center. The win lifts the Bison record to 14-7-0 (9-3-0 ECAC) while the Ice Hawks sink to 8-12-1 (4-7-1 ECAC).
The Bison got on the board 11:41 into the first period when Tyler Beasley (Indianapolis, Ind.) fed Chris Deming (Madison, Ala.) for a power-play goal. Nichols had plenty of opportunities to score in the first period after outshooting the Ice Hawks 16-6.
Nichols added to their lead 17:38 into the second period when T.J. Roche (Northport, N.Y.) blasted a slap shot through a screen in front to give the Bison a 2-0 advantage.
Becker responded with 27 seconds remaining in the second when James Wallace (Levittown, Pa.) put home a rebound in front on a Tyler Auricchio (Henderson, Nev.) shot.
Nichols secured the victory with 2:54 remaining in regulation when Sean Swansen (Salem, N.H.) gathered a loose puck in front, sliding it just past the reach of Tyler Stepke (Mars. Pa.).
Stepke kept the Hawks in the game 46 saves, including 20 in the third period. Nichols netminder Alex Larson (Madison Ala.) turned away 33 saves to earn the victory.
Both teams return to ECAC Northeast action on Wednesday, February 10th. Becker will travel to Endicott for a 7:00 p.m. tilt with the Gulls while Nichols hosts Curry College at 8:10 p.m.
