Men's Ice Hockey Fends Off First-Place Saint Anselm

Matt Damelio

Peter McDonagh

THE BASICS:

- Score: Assumption 2, Saint Anselm 1

- Records: Assumption (11-5-1, 4-4-1 NE10), Saint Anselm (10-9-1, 5-2-0 NE10)

- Location: Worcester, Mass. (Buffone Arena)

- The lead: After scoring the eventual game-winning goal at the 6:33 mark of the third period and then fighting off a six-on-four attempt within the final minute of play, the Assumption Greyhounds defeated defeated the Saint Anselm Hawks 2-1 on Friday night at Buffone Arena.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

-Robert Holyoke (Middleboro, Mass. / South Shore Kings (USPHL Premier)) scored the eventual game-winning goal at the 6:33 mark of the third period when he tipped in a rebound pass from teammate Devan Sheth (Ashland, Mass. / Islanders Hockey Club (USPHL Premier)). Assumption's Matt Damelio (Rochester, N.Y. / Northwood (Prep)) sent the puck toward the net, which bounced around a couple of players. Sheth eventually gained possession and allowed Hoylyoke find the back of the net to put his team up by two.

-Holyoke's goal proved vital in the end, as Saint Anselm's Mike Ferraro netted a goal of his own just 50 seconds later at the 7:23 mark to bring the game back to within one at 2-1. The Hawks then pulled goalie Colin Soucy with 51 seconds left in the period, giving them a six-on-four advantage thanks to a power play opportunity. However, the Hounds fortified their defense and turned away all opportunities from Saint Anselm.

-John McDonagh (Latrobe, Pa. / Shady Side Academy (Prep)) broke the scoreless tie at the 7:20 mark of the second period. As McDonagh exited the penalty box, teammate Khalil East (Los Angeles, CA / Mira Costa / Worcester State University)) sent a pass cross-ice, hitting McDonagh's stick perfectly. He carried it to the next and had his first attempt turned away, but McDonagh got his stick in on the rebound attempt and poked the puck past Soucy for the first goal of the game.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

-The Hounds outshot Saint Anselm 25-17. Both teams were 0-for-5 while on the power play.

-David Zulauf (Rochester, Mich. / Bridgton Academy (Prep)) made 16 saves on 17 shots and improved to 9-4-1 on the year. Soucy made 23 saves on 25 shots for the Hawks but fell to 8-8-1.

-The Hounds have now had 11 out of 17 games decided by one goal. They are 7-4 during those games.

-Sheth improved his point-streak to five straight games, dating back to December 6. He has scored four goals during his current streak and sports a statline of 4-4-8.

-Friday's game broke an even 4-4 record when the two teams have faced within the last five years. The Hounds now hold a 5-4 in the two team's nine previous contests.

-With the win, the Hounds move into second-place in the Northeast-10 conference with nine points. Saint Anselm is in first place with 10 points.

UP NEXT:

-The Hounds travel to Franklin Pierce on Friday, January 25 for the first game of a weekend series between the two teams. Puck drops at 7:30 p.m.

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