Worcester, Mass. (November 22) -- The Assumption College men's ice hockey team dropped a 4-3 final to the visiting Penmen of Southern New Hampshire in overtime on Saturday evening at Buffone Arena. The Hounds got out to a 2-0 lead five minutes to the second period, sparked by sophomore Ryan Gomez (Wayne, N.J. / Wayne Valley) before falling in the matchup.

After a scoreless first period in which the Hounds were out-shot by the Penmen 10-8, Assumption jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead just five minutes in to the second period on two power play opportunities. Gomez notched his second goal of the season in the second minute of the second period. The sophomore, who currently leads the Hounds with five points on two goals and three assists, was assisted by sophomore Paul Amarone (Hamden, Conn. / Trinity-Pauling) and junior Brandon Bete (Greenfield, Mass. / Northfield Mount Hermon) on the play.

The second Greyhound goal, which occurred in the fourth minute, came off the stick of senior Trevor Plante (Blackstone, Mass. / Mt. St. Charles), assisted by captain Brennen Shaw (Presque Isle, Maine / Brewster Academy). Five minutes later, the Penmen responded with a three-goal rally to take a narrow one-point lead with just over six minutes left in the second period.

Of the five goals in the second period, four occurred on power play opportunities. 

The third period closely resembled the first with neither team able to find the back of the net for the majority of the 20 minute period. It wasn't until the 17th minute that Bete, assisted by freshman Brad Anderson (Matawan, N.J. / Red Bank Catholic), was able to penetrate the Southern New Hampshire defense and find the back of the net for the tying goal. Bete's goal ultimately forced a five minute sudden victory overtime period.

Each of the two squads started the overtime period down a player to penalties. The game looked to be headed for a tie until SNHU's Jim Gabrione descended upon Assumption keeper Nick Commesso (Marshfield, Mass. / Archbishop Williams High School). Commesso saved a Penmen shot but fell to the left of the goal with his effort. Gabrione took advantage of the opportunity to send the puck into the right side of the net for the game-winner with just 2.1 seconds on the clock.

Commesso notched 35 saves in his nearly 65 minutes between the posts, compared to 28 for the Penmen's David Letarte.

Overall, Southern New Hampshire outshot Assumption 39-35 while claiming 37 faceoffs to 29 for the Hounds.

With the loss, the Hounds fall to 1-5 overall, 1-3 in the NE-10 while SNHU improves to 2-2 (1-2 NE-10). The loss also marks the fifth game this season that the Hounds have lost by just one goal and the second-straight that has gone to overtime at Buffone.

Assumption returns to action on Tuesday, Nov. 25, as they travel to Johnson & Wales for a 7:10 p.m. matchup.

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