Box Score SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Led by a two-goal performance from Jeffrey Skinner (Houston, Texas) men's hockey earned their first New England Hockey Conference win of 2020 as they cruised to a 5-1 win over Skidmore College Friday evening.
THE BASICS
UMass Boston 5, Skidmore College 1
UMass Boston (8-5-1, 4-2-1 NEHC)
Skidmore College (7-3-4, 3-2-2 NEHC)
HOW IT HAPPENED
UMass Boston registered at-least one goal in each period in Friday's win over the Thoroughbred. Skinner got the Beacons on the scoreboard around the midway point of the opening frame as he netted a power-play goal to end the scoreless draw. It would then take just over one minute for the Beacons to make it a two-goal game as Evan Rochowiak (Livonia, Mich.) found the back of the net.
In the second period, the Thoroughbreds cut the Beacons lead in half just 20 seconds. However, UMB would answer back five minutes later with Ethan Nitkin (Miami Beach, Fla.) netting his eighth of the year. Skidmore did lead in shots in the period 12-9, but the Beacons defense held the host squad to the lone score.
From there, UMB would seal the conference win with a pair of third period goals. The first goal of the final period came off the stick of Derek Caruso (Port Washington, N.Y.) at 5:26. Five minutes later Skinner put the game out of reach as he netted his second of the night.
Between the pipes, Bailey MacBurnie (Beverly, Mass.) made 33 saves as he notched his first conference win of 2020.
Skidmore's Brandon Kasel was handed the loss after making 29 stops.
BY THE NUMBERS
- The Beacons finished 1-for-5 on the power-play, while the penalty kill held Skidmore scoreless on five man-up opportunities
- In total there was a combined 26 minutes of penalties whistled between the two teams
- Dakota Concannon made his collegiate debut in Friday's contest
- All-time the Beacons are now 15-15-4 with Skidmore
- The Beacons have now won four of their last five meetings with Skidmore
- Friday's win marked the 42nd in the career of MacBurnie
WHO'S NEXT
The Beacons will travel to Hobart College for a 4 p.m. conference game.
