THE BASICS:

-Score: Assumption 2, Nichols 3

-Records: Assumption (2-4-2); Nichols (8-1-0)

-The Lead: The Assumption College ice hockey team fell by a narrow score of 3-2 to Nichols College on Sunday evening in the Championship match up of the 2015 Worcester Shootout Tournament. Sophomore Brian Farrell (Island Park, N.Y. / West Boca) and junior Stephen Picard (Enfield, Conn. / Loomis Chaffee) were named to the 2015 All-Tournament Team for their efforts over the weekend.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

-The Hounds jumped out to an early 1-0 lead just 6:43 into the first period when Picard took a pass from junior Ryan Gomez (Wayne, N.J. / Wayne Valley) and found the back of the net.

-Just over six minutes later, Nichols' Tyler Beasley capitalized on a power-play opportunity to even the score at one apiece.

-The defensive units for both squads held tough throughout the second period and neither team was able to gain the advantage until Nichols rattled off two goals within seven minutes to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the third.

-Just 13 seconds after Nichols' final goal, Picard struck again, this time assisted by sophomore Ryan Bunyon (Westford, Mass. / Westford Academy), to reduce the deficit to one.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

-Picard led the Hound offense with both of Assumption's goals while posting five shots.

-Senior Alex Erban (Attleboro, Mass. / Mount Saint Charles) posted a team-high nine shots on goal while sophomore Tommy Mahoney (Braintree, Mass. / Braintree) added six.

-Senior Chris Hemhauser (Old Saybrook, Conn. / Glastonbury) earned the start between the pipes for the Hounds. Hemhauser turned away an impressive 55 shots in 59:33 minutes.

-Overall, Nichols outshot Assumption 58-36 including a 22-9 differential in the second period.

-Nichols was the only squad to convert on a power-play opportunity on the day.

BEHIND THE BOX SCORE: 

-For the second time in the tournament's five-year history, the Bison claimed the title in the win over the Hounds.

-Sunday's match up marks the second time in the tournament's history that Assumption has made it to the Championship game. The Hounds fell to Nichols 5-3 in 2013.

-Hemhauser's 55 saves in a game breaks the record for most saves by an individual in a game in the history of the Worcester Shootout Tournament. He tops current assistant coach Nick Blanchette's record of 47, which he set against Becker on Jan. 6, 2012. 

-Hemhauser was not the only goaltender to break the record this year. Becker's Tyler Stepke notched 60 saves in last night's Assumption vs. Becker match up.

UP NEXT:

-The Hounds resume competition on Thursday, Dec. 3, when they travel to Westfield State for a 7:35 p.m. puck drop.

STAY CONNECTED:

-For the latest on Assumption College Athletics, follow the Hounds via social media on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. For more information, contact the Office of Athletic Communications at 508-767-7240. 

-Fans can also sign up for email updates and text message alerts for the men's ice hockey team and all of the other 23 Assumption varsity sports by clicking here.