WORCESTER, Mass. – In a battle of the top two teams in the Northeast-10 Conference, the Assumption University men's ice hockey team came up short in their third period rally, as they fell to Saint Anselm 4-3 Saturday evening.  

THE BASICS
Score: Saint Anselm College 4, Assumption University 3
Records: Greyhounds (12-9-0, 8-4-0 NE10), Hawks (13-8-1, 8-4-1 NE10)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first period was evenly matched in the statistics, with Assumption barely outshooting the Hawks 25-24. However, Saint Anselm was the only one to put one in the back of the net, as Liam Lyons opened the scoring with 4:18 remaining in the first period. Assumption was not able to answer in the first 20. 
 
Things remained similar in the second intermission as the Hawks doubled their lead through Leonard Brochu III just over eight minutes into the period. The Greyhounds responded in no time, as Mike D'Ambrosio cut the lead in half in fifteen seconds. While Assumption is known for making some comebacks, the Hawks hit them again through Lyons with 3:58 remaining, as he got his second and brought the Saint Anselm lead back to two. Despite the Greyhounds peppering Nick Howard with shots on the powerplay, Saint Anselm once again went into the third period up 3-1. 
 
The Greyhounds pushed in the third period to try to complete another comeback, and it only took 3:22 to get started, as defenseman Collin Montgomery scored in even strength to get one goal closer. The visitors would add another to make it 4-2, and then the Greyhounds would bounce back again to get one goal closer, this time through William Smith on the powerplay with 1:48 to go. Despite being outshot and losing the face-off battle, the Hawks were able to see out the pressure and pick up the 4-3 decision.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Drew Benedict recorded 34 saves in the crease for Assumption.
• The Greyhounds outshot the Hawks 50-38 while also winning 37-of-73 faceoffs
• Assumption went 1-for-5 on the man advantage, while Saint Anselm was scoreless on four attempts.

 
UP NEXT

• AU at Franklin Pierce, Friday, January 27, 7:30 pm
• Saint Anselm vs. Post, Friday, January 27, 7:00 pm

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