Palmer broke the NE10 all-time career saves record with career high 57 saves
Chris Page tallied his third multi-point game of the season, and fifth of his career (PHOTO BY: Jim Stankiewicz) |
ATTLEBORO, Massachusetts (February 6, 2019) – The Stonehill College men's ice hockey team picked up two points with a 3-2 victory over Northeast-10 Conference rival Saint Michael's College in the final game of the three game series Wednesday night at the New England Sports Village.
For Stonehill, (7-13-1, 2-9-1 NE10), Christopher Page netted two goals, while Cameron Wright tallied one. Charles Page registered two assists on the night and Nicholas Godin and Jack Hall each chipped in one helper. Senior goaltender Billy Palmer registered a career high 57 saves, which made him the NE10 all-time career saves leader with a total of 2,489 saves in his four years, bypassing the Skyhawks' current goaltender coach, Tyler Holske '14, who played at Southern New Hampshire University totaling 2,484 in his four years.
Both teams played pretty cleanly in the first period, as they both tried to figure out the lay of the land. At 12:51, Noah Muller passed the puck down the ice to Brandon Mitchell who was down the left channel. Mitchell dished the puck over to an open Sam D'Antuono who sent the one-timer to the back of the cage for a 1-0 lead. Stonehill responded at 19:43, after Saint Michael's saw their first penalty, as Chris Page dumped in a shot after giving the puck up to Charles Page behind the cage, for an easy goal to tie the game at one a piece, 1-1.
As play continued to gain intensity, both teams saw penalties five minutes into the second period. Just about a minute after the Purple Knight's first power play opportunity expired, the Skyhawks saw Wright slide in his 10th goal of the season with assist from Godin at 8:08. Even as Saint Michael's saw a 12-9 shot advantage in the second period, Stonehill continued their hand at shots, connecting on their third goal of the night at 17:12. Chris Page chipped in his sixth goal of the season and third multi-point game of the season as he jabbed the puck through Saint Michael's defense for a two-goal lead, 3-1.
Charles Page recorded two assists for his fourth multi-point game of the season (PHOTO BY: Jim Stankiewicz) |
Throughout the third period, Stonehill held their ground as Saint Michael's saw their third shot advantage, 20-9. The Skyhawks forced the Purple Knights to pull their goaltender in the period twice and they were able to take advantage of the opportunity even with a man in the penalty box at 18:43, as Zach Sullivan tipped in their second goal of the game, 3-2. As time was expiring, Saint Michael's saw four more opportunities to tie the game up, but Palmer was able to defend the strikes to hold on for the Skyhawks' second Conference win of the season.
The Skyhawks will host Southern New Hampshire University on Friday, February 8 with a 7:20 p.m. start time and on Saturday, February 9 with a 5:10 p.m. puck drop at Foxboro Sports Center. Prior to the game on Saturday, Stonehill will honor its six graduating seniors.
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