HENNIKER, N.H. – Senior
Payton Schaly (Orillia, Ontario) scored for the seventh straight game, but New England College rallied with five unanswered goals to defeat Plymouth State University, 5-1, in a Little East Conference (LEC) men's ice hockey game at Lee Clement Arena on Saturday evening.
Schaly converted on a power play midway through the first period, extending his scoring streak, and PSU carried a 1-0 lead into the second period.
NEC took control in the second period, holding PSU's power play scoreless in five chances while scoring three goals to seize control. The hosts added two insurance goals in the third period to secure the win.
Plymouth State evens out at 8-8-0 (5-4-0 LEC), while New England College improves to 5-10-0 (4-5-0 LEC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 1, NEC 5
- Plymouth State (8-8-0, 5-4-0 LEC)
- NEC (5-10-0, 4-5-0 LEC)
How it Happened:
- Schaly snapped a wrister to the top-left corner during a power play 7:17 into the opening period.
- The Panthers maintained the 1-0 lead into intermission.
- NEC pulled even in the opening minutes of the second period.
- The Pilgrims blocked a shot during a PSU power play, leading to a breakaway chance as the hosts took the lead at 13:43 of the second period.
- NEC extended the margin less than two minutes later to carry a 3-1 lead into the second intermission.
- The Pilgrims pushed the lead to 5-1 with a pair of goals in the first seven minutes of the third and PSU was unable to rally.
By the Numbers:
- Schaly has totaled eight goals and two assists over his last seven games, now leading the team with nine goals on the season.
- Senior Will Redick (Collingwood, Ontario) and freshman Kim Hilmersson (Uppsala, Sweden) added assists.
- Senior Brandon Shantz (San Antonio, Texas) made 25 saves.
- Plymouth State held a 75-51 advantage in shots and a 32-30 edge in shots on goal.
- The Pilgrims recorded 20 blocked shots.
- PSU finished 1-for-8 on the power play. NEC went 0-for-2.
- NEC leads the all-time series, 17-6-1.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State hosts VTSU Castleton in league action on Friday (Jan. 23) at 6:30 p.m.
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