Nov. 4, 2011

Box Score

BOSTON, Mass. – Led by Kevin Vanous, the Hawks of Saint Anselm College (1-0, 1-0 ECAC East) managed to sneak past men's ice hockey (0-1, 0-1 ECAC East) by the final score of 2-1 Friday evening in the Clark Athletic Center Ice Rink in the season and conference opener for both teams.

Vanous found the back of the Beacons cage midway through the first and third periods to help the Hawks to their first win of the year.  UMass got their first goal of the season from newcomer Corey Chakeen (Quincy, Mass.) in the opening minutes of the third period, which at the time tied the score at 1-1. 

Throughout the night, UMass had some solid chances at goal, but were just unable to get the puck across the line, as Saint Anselm goalie Robert Kang came-up big time-after-time for his team. 

On the night UMass held a +8 (38-30) advantage in shots over their ECAC East and Division II opponent.  The first two periods were even with both teams each getting off nine shots in the first period, and 10 in the second.  It was not until the third that the Beacons offense really took over tallying 19 shots as compared to Saint Anselm's 11.

In front of a loud crowd, the Beacons came out swinging as they tried to build the early momentum.  The first 20 minutes of play was truly a back-and-forth battle as bodies continuously hit ice and glass.  The second period was much more controlled, with both teams getting off some solid chances. 

Both Kevin Bendel (Denville, N.J.) and Kang were busy throughout the period.  The Beacons would maintain control throughout most of the period, which they brought with them in the third.  Bendel closed out the game with a combined 28 saves, while Kang stopped 37 shots from the UMass offense.

Still down by one goal, the Beacons got a great break, in the form of Chakeen's unassisted score to tie the game at 1-1.  Looking to jump out in front, UMass kept increasing their offensive pressure. 

Anthony Fitti (Havertown, Pa.) was one of the busier Beacons in the period as he was seen taking a majority of the face-offs.  Defenseman Rob Florentino (West Roxbury, Mass.) also had some solid chances in the final period, as he ended the game with four shots, three of which came in the third. 

Both teams were unable to capitalize on their power-play opportunities in Friday's match-up.  Saint Anselm ended the night 0-for-1, while UMass went 0-for-6 overall. 

Men's hockey returns to their home ice tomorrow when they host New England College at 4 p.m.