Ice Hockey Keeps Rolling Against Saint Anselm, 5-2


Freshman William Palmer turned away 39 shots including 14 in the first period.

Skyhawks pick up fourth win in a row, pushes NE-10 regular season unbeaten streak to 26

EASTON, Mass. (January 26, 2016) – Stonehill College scored twice in the final two minutes of the third period to turn a one-goal lead into a 5-2 victory over Saint Anselm College tonight in Northeast-10 Conference ice hockey action at the Foxboro Sports Center.

Five different Skyhawks found the back of the net and freshman goaltender William Palmer (Cranston, Rhode Island/Boston Bandits - EHL) made 39 saves as Stonehill remained unbeaten in NE-10 play, taking down Saint Anselm who was in first place and undefeated coming into tonight's game.

Senior Dan Graham (Billerica, Massachusetts/Williston Northampton) put the Skyhawks on the board just 2:23 into the first period, intercepting a pass in Saint Anselm's defensive zone and beating sophomore netminder Shane Joyce (Pembroke, Massachusetts/PAL Islanders) on his stick side. Classmate Richard Harris (Billerica, Massachusetts/Williston Northampton) doubled the lead five minutes later, receiving a pass off of the faceoff and five holing Joyce for his seventh goal of the season.

Stonehill opened up the scoring in the second period as well, extending their lead to 3-0. Junior Brian Higgins (Milton, Massachusetts/Proctor Academy) collected a rebound off of a shot by senior Tom Jenkins (Canton, Massachusetts/Williston Northampton) and fired a wrist shot into the back of the net. Saint Anselm would respond at the 3:58 mark of the second, when junior Peter Sikalis (Acton, Massachusetts/Cushing Academy) scored on an assist by freshman Bryan Green (Weymouth, Massachusetts/Dexter School).

Sikalis scored his second goal of the night with under five minutes to play in the third period, turning a comfortable two goal Stonehill cushion into a one goal lead. The Hawks pushed everyone forward looking for the equalizing goal and pulled Joyce out of the net to give them a man advantage on the attack. Senior Thomas DePoalo (Mendham, New Jersey/Morristown Beard School) took advantage of the empty net, stealing the puck off of a Hawk skater and gently gliding the puck into the empty net. With the Skyhawk lead now at two, Saint Anselm left their goalie off of the ice hoping to generate more offense. Senior Robbie Dorgan (Ossining, New York/Boston Bulldogs - AJHL) put any chances the visitor had to rest, collecting a pass from Higgins and Evan Jacques (Norton, Massachusetts/South Shore Kings - EJHL) and scoring on the empty net just nine seconds after DePoalo's goal.

Following tonight's contest, Stonehill (9-8-3, 5-0-1 NE-10) will hit the road this Thursday for a game at Franklin Pierce University at 7:30 p.m. Saint Anselm (10-7-2, 4-1 NE-10) will remain on the road as they travel to New England College for an out of conference game at 4:00 p.m.

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