Nor'easters drop Gulls, 3-2

Jan. 23, 2009

BIDDEFORD, Maine - The Endicott College Men's ice hockey team could not mount a strong enough rally in the final minutes against the University of New England as the Gulls dropped a 3-2 decision to the Nor'easters in Biddeford, Maine. The loss moves the Gulls to 9-6-2 while UNE improves to 8-4-1.

UNE sophomore forward Jack Nolin (Somersworth, N.H.) tallied his team-leading 15th goal in the first period - the lone score of the frame - as freshman Todd Bartlett (Dover, N.H.) set up the goal. The Nor'easters doubled their lead at 5:19 of the second on an unassisted goal by first-year Nate Frechette (Winslow, Maine).

Trailing 2-0 after two periods, Endicott cuts its deficit in half with 3:05 elapsed in the third frame when freshman Kevin Bunting (Plantsville, Conn.) set up junior Nick Colby (Salisbury, Mass.) for a power-play goal.

UNE would receive a much-needed insurance goal at 14:33 when freshman Channing Tobey (Eliot, Maine) took advantage of a man-up situation with assists from classmates Chris Bolton (Dover, N.H.) and Justin Miner (Stratham, N.H.).

The Gulls countered just over a minute later when freshman Matthew Zimmerman (South Glastonbury, Conn.) converted to make the score 3-2. The comeback attempt would not be enough as the Nor'easters thwarted several Endicott scoring bids in the final minute to secure the victory.

UNE goalie Tony Dube (Biddeford, Maine) recorded 24 saves over the first 48:22 before heading to the penalty box after being assessed a penalty. Sophomore Mike Roper (New Glasgow, Nova Scotia) came on to stop six shots the rest of the way.

Junior Matt Murray (Billerica, Mass.) had 40 saves for the Gulls, who were outshot, 43-32.