MANCHESTER, N.H. – Five second-period goals were the difference as the Southern New Hampshire University ice hockey team defeated Saint Michael's by a score of 8-4 Tuesday evening in Northeast-10 Conference play. The Penmen improve their record to 9-5-1 overall and are now 3-1 in the league, while the Purple Knights fall to 1-9-1 and 0-2 in the conference.

Six different SNHU players scored in the victory, while two notched multiple goals. Jim Gabrione (Boca Raton, Fla.) and Zach Lubinski (Hudson, N.H.) each had two goals apiece, while Gabrione added an assist. Jay Sylvia (Acushnet, Mass.), Dane Caracino (Belmont, Mass.), Jim O'Connor (Arlington, Mass.), and Steven Berry (Ashburn, Va.) each added a tally for the SNHU offense as well.

The Penmen took an early 2-0 lead in the first period on two power-play goals. Sylvia put the Penmen on the board first scoring his fifth goal of the year, and third power-play tally at the 11:29 mark. Joe Collins (Mansfield, Mass.) and Gabrione assisted on the goal to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. Caracino upped the lead to two goals after scoring on another power play with 1:06 remaining in the period.

SNHU scored five-second period goals, including three short-handed scores. After letting up a Purple Knight's goal early in the period, the Penmen answered with three consecutive goals to take a 5-1 lead. Gabrione started the tear with his ninth goal of the season, while O'Connor and Lubinski each followed with short-handed goals within 54 seconds of each other. Danny Divis broke up the home team's scoring with his second power-play goal of the period, and Jeremy Wong added another goal to the visitor's side two minutes later to make the score 5-3. However, just 12 seconds later, Berry answered to push the lead back to three goals, and Lubinski notched his second goal of the game to end the period with a 7-3 lead.

Divis scored his third goal of the game in the third period, but Gabrione sealed the deal scoring on a power play for his second tally of the game, and to give the Penmen an 8-4 lead.

Southern New Hampshire was perfect while scoring three times on three power-play opportunities, and outshot Saint Michael's 34-28.

Tyler Holske (Attleboro, Mass.) saved 24 shots on the night, including 10 in the third period. Dave Donzanti and Michael Comitini split time in net for the Purple Knights saving 16 and 10 shots, respectively.

The Penmen return to action a week from today, Tuesday, January 14 when they host non-conference opponent Westfield State for a 7:30 p.m. puck drop.

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