BIDDEFORD — Kienan Scott scored twice and Sean Lawrence made 33 saves as Colby College rallied from a couple one-goal deficits and picked up a 4-2 result against the University of New England in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Division III Men’s Ice Hockey Championship on Saturday night at the Harold Alfond Forum.
Unbeaten in their last eight, the Mules (16-10-2) now draw SUNY Geneseo (a winner at Hobart College this evening, also by a 4-2 margin) in the national quarterfinals next Saturday.
UNE’s season comes to a close at 20-6-3 overall — a program-record for wins (by 5). It was Big Blue’s first-ever appearance in the NCAA tournament.
The Nor’easters led 1-0 after the first period, as the nation’s most efficient power-play struck just before a Colby penalty was set to release. Ryan Bloom got the goal at the 4-minute mark, with assists to Brady Fleurent, who is from Biddeford, and Tyler Seltenreich. Shots were 13-4 through 20 minutes of action.
Scott brought Colby even (1-1) early in the second, off a feed from Nick O’Connor, but UNE regained the edge just before the midway point of the frame. Liam Neuman finished off a rebound for the tally; Derek Mecrones and Chris Jones were credited with the assists.
The Mules converted an extra-man opportunity with 12:26 elapsed to knot the score at 2-2, off the stick of Michael Rudolf from Cam MacDonald and Justin Grillo. Colby then grabbed its first lead with 4:02 left in the second, as O’Connor again set-up Scott for a short-handed goal.
Joe Schuler netted an insurance marker in the heart of the third stanza. UNE played most of the last 1:44 with an additional skater, but could not solve Lawrence and the Colby defense.
In goal for the Nor’easters, Tate Sproxton logged 26 stops.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
