ASTON, Pa. - The Neumann University men's ice hockey team bounced back from a Friday night loss versus Utica College with a dominating 6-1 victory over visiting Nazareth College in Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) West action on Saturday afternoon.
 
Senior forward Jory Mullin added to his national scoring lead with a hat trick, while Matt Zendejas tallied a pair of goals as well. Johannes Sallila also scored for Neumann and Anthony Pino registered a pair of assists. The Knights also received fantastic goaltending from freshman Anthony Pupplo, who upped his record to 7-0-1 between the pipes this year by making 30 saves on 31 shots.
 
After a tough loss last night, Neumann came out ready to play from the first whistle. The Knights grabbed control of the game just 2:41 into the first frame, as Zendejas ripped a wrist shot past the Nazareth net-minder for a 1-0 lead. Both teams would trade chances the remainder of the period, but Neumann would head to the intermission with the one goal lead intact, outshooting the Golden Flyers by a count of 12-10.
 
The second period would be all Neumann. Just over three minutes into the period, Sallila would stuff home his own rebound to put the Knights up by two. With momentum clearly on Neumann's side, the team would strike again just 51 seconds later. Zendejas finished off a beautiful feed by Pino to give the Knights a three goal cushion. Neumann was not done scoring though. Hungry for more, the Knights continued to throw pucks to the net and found a fourth goal through Mullin. The nation's leading scorer rifled home a one-timer off an excellent cross ice pass from Shane Morrissey to give the Knights a 4-0 lead heading to the third.
 
The Golden Flyers would get a goal back 2:27 into the final period, but that was as close as they would get. With Nazareth on a power play looking to get back in the game, Mullin took over.  The senior forward would score twice shorthanded a minute a part to complete his hat trick and give the Knights a commanding 6-1 lead. Pupplo would shut the door from there, and Neumann would skate away with a much needed two points in the tight ECAC West standings.
 
Neumann (12-6-2, 4-5 ECAC West) is back on home ice next weekend for a pair of ECAC West matchups versus Stevenson University and Lebanon Valley College. Puck-drop on Friday night against Stevenson is scheduled for 7:00 PM.