WESTFIELD, Mass. – The Southern New Hampshire ice hockey team was defeated by a score of 5-3 to non-conference opponent Westfield State Tuesday evening. The Penmen are now 2-10-2, while Owls improve to 7-5.

Joe Collins (Mansfield, Mass.) notched an early first period goal to put the Penmen on the board and give them a 1-0 advantage over the Owls. However, Westfield would answer with four consecutive goals and enter the second period with a 4-1 lead over SNHU.

The Penmen had their best opportunity to come back when John Humphrey (Charlestown, Mass.) scored back-to-back third period goals to bring SNHU within one goal of the Owls. Humphrey's second goal came at the 18:23 mark in the period, and forced the Penmen to skate an extra man in search of the equalizer. However, the Owls capitalized on SNHU's empty net and would score the final goal of the game with just 21 seconds remaining to finalize the game at 5-3.

Dave Letarte (Salem, Mass.) got the start for the Penmen in net. He turned away 34 shots, while Owls' goalie Ian Perrier saved 34 shots.

The Penmen return to action Tuesday, January 15 when they travel to UMass Boston for a 7:00 p.m. non-conference game.