Nationally ranked for the first time in program history, the University of New England extended its win streak to nine games and its unbeaten streak to 13 — longest in Division 3 — as January wound down.
Sophomore Ryan Bloom and freshman Jeff Eppright each notched two goals as UNE (14-3-2, 7-3-2 Commonwealth Coast) fended off Wentworth, 6-5, on Jan. 20 in Biddeford, Maine, to pull into third place in the conference.
Fourteen seconds after the Leopards tied the game, 2-2, in the second period, Bloom (one) and Eppright (two) scored three goals in the period’s final 11 minutes. Ben Churchfield totaled 37 saves to up his personal record to 8-1-2. …
On Jan. 19, Nichols did something no team had done since October — pin a loss on Endicott.
Sophomore J.B. Baker collected five points on two goals and three assists as the Bison (11-6-2, 6-4-2 CCC) won 6-1 in Harrisville, R.I.
Senior captain Scott Cuthrell and junior Matthew Menta each picked up a goal and three assists for the Bison, who dealt the Gulls (15-2-2, 11-1 CCC) their first conference loss and ended their 16-game unbeaten streak.
Nichols struck for four goals in the opening 12:17 of the contest to build a commanding 4-0 lead. Goalie Colin Brennan turned aside 28 shots.
Endicott, which hadn’t lost since dropping a 3-2 decision to Plymouth State in its opener, bounced back the next night, beating Nichols, 7-1. Heading into the last weekend of January, it owned a four-point lead on Salve Regina (13-4-2, 8-2-2 CCC) for first place in the conference. …
Plymouth State, the first-place team in the MASCAC, rolled off five straight wins to begin the 2018 portion of its schedule, including a 4-3 win over secondplace Worcester State (11-5, 6-4 MASCAC) on Jan. 6. Matt Volonnino scored a pair of goals for the Panthers (13-3-1, 9-1 MASCAC). …
After going more than a month without a win, Trinity looks to have regained its form as it opened up a three-point lead in the NESCAC. A 5-2 win at Conn. College on Jan. 20 was the fifth straight for the Bantams, who got a goal and an assist from Anthony Sabitsky. Between Dec. 3 and Jan. 6. Trinity went 0-3-2. …
New England College showed that the race in the NEHC might be deeper than just the Big Four. The Pilgrims (11-6-1, 6-5-1 NEHC) went on the road in mid-January and took wins from Babson (5-3) and UMass-Boston (6-3) to pull within three points of a top-four spot in the league. Connor Fries (Barnstable, Mass.) and Joe Osaka both scored three goals on the weekend for the Pilgrims.
In the Spotlight
Brady Fleurent, jr., F, U. New England
Last year’s Concannon Award winner is surging again. In seven games in 2018 — all UNE wins — the Biddeford, Maine, native has put up a 3-10-13 scoring line, and his 23 assists lead Division 3.
Evan Morelli, jr., G, Plymouth State
Only one goalie in Division 3 (Evan Buitenhuis of Hamilton) has a better save percentage than the .943 owned by the Reading, Mass., native, who’s backstopped the Panthers to a six-point cushion in the MASCAC.
Anthony Sabitsky, sr., F, Trinity
The Milton Academy product notched points in four straight games during his team’s current five-game win streak, and needs just eight to reach 100 for his career with the Bantams.
The Clash
Endicott vs. University of New England
Feb. 9, Biddeford, Maine
Feb. 10, Beverly, Mass.
For the first time in recent memory, the Commonwealth Coast Conference boasts a pair of top-10 teams in the USCHO poll. No. 9 UNE is riding a nine-game win streak and 13-game unbeaten streak, while No. 4 Endicott has lost just one time since opening night. Ross Olsson (Billerica, Mass.) leads Endicott with 27 goals, while Tyler Seltenreich tops the Nor’easters with 15 tallies.
