VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

MANCHESTER, N.H. — Freshman Ryan Slatky (Manchester, N.H.) registered 33 saves in his first collegiate appearance to lead the Southern New Hampshire University ice hockey team to a 2-1 victory over Western New England University at the Ice Den on Sunday night. The Penmen improve to 4-5 on the season while the Golden Bears move to 1-8-1.

The two teams battled to a scoreless first period before Southern New Hampshire broke through midway through the second. On the powerplay, junior Joe Collins (Mansfield, Mass.) fired a shot on goal and after his initial bid was stopped, classmate Jim Gabrione (Boca Raton, Fla.) rifled home the rebound to give the Penmen a 1-0 lead with 11:08 remaining.

Both goaltenders were able to keep the opposition off the board through the remainder of the second and the majority of the third period, Western New England was able to knot the score at a goal apiece with 4:53 to play. After a battle along the left wing boards, the puck squirted out to the high slot and Dane Genord one-timed a shot through traffic that found its way to the back of the net.

Less than three minutes later, Southern New Hampshire capitalized on a shorthanded opportunity to take the lead late. Sophomore Nathan Bergeron (Auburn, Maine) tallied what proved to be the game-winner on an outstanding individual effort. Bergeron forced a turnover in the Penmen defensive zone and chipped it out to the neutral zone. From there, he broke in all alone and sent a snapshot high to the blocker side with 1:55 left in regulation.

Scott Brown turned aside 36 shots in goal for the Golden Bears, while Chris Lembo and Andy Cramer each earned assists on Genord's goal. Senior Dane Caracino (Belmont, Mass.) also picked up an assist in the win for Southern New Hampshire.

The Penmen will remain idle until Jan. 2 when they travel to Becker College for a 7 p.m. puck drop. Western New England is back in action on Jan. 4 for a 7 p.m. face-off with Trinity College.

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