When and Where: October 31, 2026 – Framingham, Mass. (Loring Arena)
Score: Southern New Hampshire University 4, Framingham State University 1
Records: SNHU 1-0-0, Framingham State 0-1-0
Senior Coleman Nee (Arlington, Mass.) scored twice in the third period, including the game-winning goal, as the Southern New Hampshire University ice hockey team opened the 2026-27 season with a 4-1 victory at Framingham State University on Saturday night.
The win marked a successful debut for new SNHU head coach Brooks McQuade, while senior goaltender Sean Guerin (Chicago, Ill.) turned aside 36 shots to help the Penmen earn their fourth consecutive victory over the Rams.
KEY MOMENT
With the game tied 1-1 entering the third period, Nee scored on the power play at 5:14, with sophomore Kenny Thurston (Plymouth, Mass.) assisting, to give SNHU its first lead. Senior Austin Hirschberger (Harwich, Mass.) extended the advantage to 3-1 just 1:46 later before Nee capped the scoring with a short-handed goal at 15:09. The two goals matched Nee's season totals from each of the past two years.
NOTES
- Framingham State's Grig Kaagan opened the scoring at 8:35 of the second period before sophomore Aidan Rufa (Massena, N.Y.) tied the game with a power-play goal at 10:40. Sophomore Jory Veenstra (Kansas City, Mo.) and freshman Ethan McLean (St. John, New Brunswick) assisted.
- Nee's go-ahead goal was the first game-winning goal of his collegiate career. His second goal marked his first career short-handed tally.
- Hirschberger's third-period goal was assisted by junior Kyle Slingerland (Stittsville, Ontario) and junior Dillon Phillips (Raleigh, N.C.).
- Senior Anthony Marchant (Norwood, Mass.) assisted on Nee's short-handed goal.
- Guerin made 18 of his 36 saves in the third period as Framingham State outshot SNHU 37-30 for the game.
- The Penmen converted two of four power-play opportunities and killed off all five Framingham State power plays.
- Nee also won 13 of 23 faceoffs, while McLean won 13 of 21.
- SNHU improved to 29-14-1 all-time against Framingham State, with victories in four straight meetings and seven of the last eight.
- The Penmen and Rams have met in the season opener in each of the past four seasons.
UP NEXT
The Penmen will open the Northeast 10 season with a home game against Franklin Pierce University on Friday (November 6) at 7:40 p.m. at the Ice Den Arena. SNHU will also host American International College on Saturday (November 7) at 7:00 p.m.
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