Dec. 2, 2006
Box Score
Aston, Pa. - No. 8 Neumann College scored three goals in the first period, one in the second and two in the third, handing Elmira College a 6-4 defeat Saturday night in ECAC West men's ice hockey action. The Knights improved to 8-1-3 overall and to 3- 0-3 in the ECAC West, while the Soaring Eagles fell to 2-6-1 and 1-4-1 respectively.
Neumann College's Mark Van Vliet, Mike Hedden and Neil Trimm put the Knights up 3-2 in the first period with Vliet's and Hedden's goals both coming on Neumann power plays. The Knights started the game down 1-0 at the 6:54 mark of the period but tied the game less than two minutes later and took over the lead at 10:12. Elmira tied the game at two at 15:08, but Neil Trimm answered back just 28 seconds later, after accepting a pass from Dayne Bihn and Vliet, who were credited with the assists.
Neumann extended their lead, 4-2, midway through the second period when Neil Trimm scored his tenth goal of the season, sixth power play, at 12:31. However, Elmira capitalized on a power play of its own, five minutes later, concluding second-period scoring at 17:03.
Elmira's Michael Richard kept things interesting, tying Neumann's 4th goal on a 6 on 5 advantage at 9:28 of the third period. However, after ending their last three conference games in ties Neumann had no intention of letting this one end even. Neumann's Mark Van Vliet scored his 10th of the season after being set up by Mike Hedden and Neil Trimm at 11:55, giving the Knights a 5-4 lead. Less than seven minutes later Neumann's Dayne Bihn sealed the deal with a wrist shot at 18:51.
Trimm led the Knights with five points followed by Vliet with four. Junior Mike Collichio improved to 6-1-3 on the season in making 23 saves. Elmira junior Raphael Cundari (0-4-1) stopped 24 shots for the Soaring Eagles in the loss.
Neumann will return to action next Friday at SUNY Fredonia in Fredonia, New York. The puck drops at 7:00 p.m.
