THE BASICS:

-Score: Assumption 7, Saint Michael's 3

-Records: Assumption (4-6-2, 2-3-0 NE-10); Saint Michael's (2-11-0, 1-3 NE-10)

-The Lead: Led by a four-point performance from junior Ryan Gomez (Wayne, N.J. / Wayne Valley) and a hat trick from senior Brandon Bete (Greenfield, Mass. / Northfield Mount Hermon), the Assumption College ice hockey team claimed a 7-3 victory in a win that included five Greyhound goals in the third period alone on Saturday night. With the victory, the Hounds claim both series points toward the NE-10 standings.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

-The Hounds took the lead in the first period when Gomez took a pass from the left side from sophomore Tommy Mahoney (Braintree, Mass. / Braintree) and blasted it into the top right corner on a power play at 14:38.

-In the second period, Assumption increased its lead to two when Bete collected a rebound in front of the net as Saint Michael's goaltender Chris Johnson lost his footing under a series of Greyhound shots. Bete scored as Johnson was trying to regain his composure and was assisted by Gomez and sophomore Brian Farrell (Island Park, N.Y. / West Boca) on the play.

-In the 13th minute of the second period, the Purple Knights reduced the deficit to just one when Keegan Finn snuck one behind goaltender Nick Commesso (Marshfield, Mass. / The Governor's Academy) just after the end of the Saint Michael's power play.

-The Hounds broke the game open in the third period, scoring three straight for an impressive 5-1 advantage. The three goals came off the sticks of junior Stephen Picard (Enfield, Conn. / Loomis Chaffee), Bete and Gomez at 6:22, 15:54 and 16:41, respectively. Gomez's goal came on an empty net.

-Saint Michael's attempted the comeback when Brodie McCusker scored an even-strenghth goal at 17:43.

-Assumption scored two short-handed goals in 11 seconds to follow the Purple Knights' goal, the first of which marked Bete's hat trick. Junior Kevin Murphy (North Conway, NH / Kennett) notched the second at 18:11 unassisted.

-Saint Michael's scored once more at 18:40 on a power play before time expired.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

-Gomez helped lead the Hounds with four points on two goals and two assists.

-Bete also accumulated four points on three goals and one assist and finished with a team-high six shots on goal and 15-of-24 faceoffs.

-Farrell notched three assists on the day.

-Picard and Cowles also posted six shots on goal to help lead the Hound offense.

-Commesso turned away 57 shots on goal in his 60 minutes compared to 43 for Johnson in 58:13.

-Commesso's record improves to 3-2-2 with the win.

-Overall, Saint Michael's outshot the Hounds 60 to 50 including a 34-18 advantage in the third period in which Assumption found the back of the net five times.

BEHIND THE BOX SCORE:

-Gomez's four points brings his season total to 18 as he continues to lead the league in the category.

-Gomez also ranks first in the conference in assists with 14. Just halfway through his junior season, his 14 assists surpasses his 13-assist total of the entire season last year.

-Bete ranks just behind Gomez at second in the NE-10 with 16 points on 10 goals and six assists. Bete also leads the league in goals with 10.

-Bete's hat trick marks his second of the season. His first came in the season-opener at Suffolk on Oct. 31.

-Commesso's 57 saves is just two shy of his season-high 59, which he achieved on Nov. 24 against Johnson & Wales.  

-The victory over the Purple Knights marks the Hounds' first win over the squad since Nov. 22, 2011 when Assumption earned a 3-2 victory at home. The win also marks the first time this season's senior class has defeated the Purple Knights. 

-Seven goals is the most the Hounds have scored in a game since Feb. 11, 2012 when they earned a 7-5 victory over Fitchburg State at home.

UP NEXT:

-The Hounds will enjoy a brief holiday break before returning to action on Tuesday, Jan. 5, at Fitchburg State at 7 p.m. 

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.

POST GAME: