HOOKSETT, N.H.—The Southern New Hampshire University ice hockey team dropped a 6-3 loss to the University of New England Nor 'Easters in the opening game of the 2011 Manchester PAL Stovepipe College Hockey Tournament on Saturday afternoon in non-conference action from the Ice Den.  With the loss, the Penmen drop to 1-6-1 on the season, while the win boosts the visiting Nor'Easters to 2-4-0. 

UNE's Tyler Fleurent would open scoring on the power play at the 6:01.  SNHU would respond at the 14:15 mark on Michael Settipani's (Charlestown, Mass.) first goal of the season.  Charles Wisniewski (Strongsville, Ohio) would tally the assist on the goal. 

The score would remain even at 1-1 entering the second period, where back-to-back goals by UNE's Brendan Brickley and Scott McManaman would give the Nor'Easters the 3-1 advantage.  At the 12:32 mark, SNHU's Zach Lubinski (Hudson, N.H.) would tally a short-handed goal, assisted by Trevor Nelson (Exeter, N.H.), would bring the score to 3-2.  Brickley would answer with another goal to reclaim the lead by two goals entering the third period. 

Tyler Pascucci (North Reading, Mass.) would score his third goal of the season 3:26 into the final frame unassisted as intercepted a pass in UNE's defensive zone and poked the puck past UNE goaltender Ian Edwards to bring the Penmen back within one. 

UNE would answer with back-to-back goals by Nick Michaud and Jared Melman at the 14:28 and 16:52 marks, respectively. 

Penmen goaltender Tyler Holske (Attleboro, Mass.) recorded 29 saves in net, while Edwards posted 11 saves en route to the win.  The Nor'Easters outshot the Penmen 35-14 on the afternoon and finished 1-for-6 on the power play.  SNHU did not score with the extra-man advantage in four attempts. 

The University of New England advances to the championship round of the 2011 Manchester PAL Stovepipe tomorrow at 4:30 p.m., while SNHU will play in the tournament's consolation game at 1:30 p.m.