MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – The Neumann University men's ice hockey team opened 2016 with a 4-1 win over New England College at the Middlebury Holiday Classic on Saturday afternoon.

Jake Davidson handed out three assists for the Knights. Jordan Watt led Neumann with five shots as the team finished with 30 shots. Tyler LeFebvre made his first start of the season and made 33 saves for his first collegiate win in net.

At the 2:03 mark of the first, Shayne Morrissey put the puck in the net for the only goal of the period and an early 1-0 Knights lead. Morrissey tapped in a shot from Steve Low. Mike Davis also picked up an assist.

Three goals were scored in a 34 second span in the second period. To start, Brandon Gagne scored the eventual game-winner as he put a rebound into the back of the net. Lauri Viitanen and Davidson tallied the assists on the power play goal. Just 15 seconds later, Nick Perruccio put Neumann up 3-0. Johannes Sallila and Davidson had the assists. The Pilgrims scored their lone game 19 seconds after Perruccio had put Neumann up 3-0.

Watt added an insurance goal at the 14:25 mark of the second period as he tipped in a shot from Davidson. Zac Lazzaro had an assist on the goal that gave Neumann a 4-1 lead heading into the final period. The Knights outshot the Pilgrims 19-10 in the second period.

The Knights were able to kill off three penalties in the third period to hold their three goal lead and come away with the 4-1 win.

Neumann (7-4) will face Middlebury College at 4:00 PM on Sunday in the Middlebury Holiday Classic Championship game.


CHS Box Score