POMFRET, Conn. – Freshman Billy Sabia (Ridgefield, Conn.) scored 1:49 into overtime Sunday night to help lift Nichols College past Plymouth State University, 3-2, in ECAC Northeast men’s hockey action.
The Bison overcame an early 2-0 deficit to capture their eighth win of the year (8-2-1, 2-1). The Panthers fall to 2-2-2 and 0-2-1 in conference play. The two teams settled to a 2-2 tie in their first meeting of the year on Nov. 10.
Plymouth State took advantage of its first power play opportunity as senior Bobby Dashner (Hyde Park, Mass.) scored off a pass from classmate Deni Bojadzic (Gothenburg, Sweden) 2:37 into the game. Senior Nate Gardner (Manchester, N.H.) gave the Panthers a 2-0 lead five minutes later, getting one past Nichols’ goalie, junior Keith Fink (Easton, Md.). Dashner and sophomore Chris Cantara (Pelham, N.H.) were credited with the assists.
Less than a minute later, sophomore Eric Cremer (Chelsea, Mich.) got Nichols to within one, 2-1, with his fifth goal of the year at the 8:19 mark. Freshmen Will Munson (Corona, Cal.) and Jon Haley (Shelbourne, Vt.) earned the assists.
Following a scoreless second period, freshman Billy Strain (Providence, R.I.) scored the game-tying goal 6:59 into the third. Munson and Haley again provided the assists. The goal was the first of Strain’s collegiate career. Sabia’s overtime goal was assisted by freshmen Matt Roberts (Merrimac, Mass.) and Jean-Marc Biron (Atlanta, Ga.)
Fink finished with 21 saves as he improved to 5-2-1 on the year. Senior Karl Helgesson (Lerum, Sweden) had 31 saves for Plymouth State.
The Bison will return to action on Sunday, Jan. 6 when it will host Fitchburg State at 8 p.m. The Panthers will play at Castleton State this Wednesday, Dec. 12, at 7:00 p.m., and will wrap up the semester with a home game at Waterville Valley this Saturday, Dec. 15, against Southern Maine (6:00 p.m.)
(Courtesy of Nichols Sports Information)
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