BEVERLY, Mass. – The Endicott men's ice hockey team had a busy weekend as they competed in two contests. On Saturday night the Gulls hosted Central Connecticut State and dropped a 6-5 decision before traveling to reining ACHA Division II Champions, University of New Hampshire on Sunday where they fell 4-0. Endicott ends December play at 6-7-3 while they take the rest of the month off and come back in the New Year on Sunday, January 25th where they travel to Roger Williams at Tabor Academy for a 6:00 p.m. puck drop.
Game One: Endicott vs. Central Connecticut State
On Saturday in the Gulls home contest with non-conference foe, Central Connecticut State, senior Brendan Moore (Springfield, Mass.) led the squad with three points while freshman, James Burns (Andover, Mass.) tallied two goals in the 6-5 loss. Central Connecticut State is currently 11-8-1 as they sit at #7 in the ACHA National Standings.
The first half was a battle as both sides converted two goals. The Blue Devils got on the board first five minutes into the game after Jack Johnson (New Britain, Conn.) made a play to goal with Adam Mink (West Haven, Conn.) and found the back of the net. Four minutes later the Gulls would answer back as sophomore Tyler Peabody (Mendon, Mass.) secured his second goal of the season.
Less than one minute later CCSU would bump the lead back up to one with a goal by Brendon Quirion (Rocky Hill, Conn.) who was able to slip the puck past sophomore goaltender Nick Russo (Waltham, Mass.). With the first period coming to a close, Burns would tie the game back up at 2-2 as he took advantage of a power-play opportunity with Moore and sophomore Tim Boyle (Hingham, Mass.) to head into the first intermission.
The second period was identical to the first as both sides went goal for goal finishing at a 4-4 tie. Freshman Kyle Webb (Reading, Mass.) started off the period with his lone goal of the game while Burns tallied the second Endicott goal in the period. In the third period the Blue Devils come out firing two straight goals to take the lead. With 1:57 to go in regulation, Moore found the back of the net but it would not be enough as the Gulls fell in a tough 5-4 battle.
Game Two: Endicott at University of New Hampshire
Endicott traveled to the national contender, University of New Hampshire on Sunday afternoon and dropped a tough 4-0 battle. Despite the outcome the Blue and Green played tough making some big defensive plays to hold the Wildcats just to four goals. The Gulls did not allow the Wildcats to score on any power-play opportunity while Russo made some clutch saves.
The Wildcats are currently 11-7 as they sit at #9 on the ACHA National Standings while Endicott is placed at #27.