EVERETT, Mass. – Sophomore Ross Olsson (Billerica, Mass.) had a goal and a pair of assists to help the Endicott College hockey team to a 3-1 victory over Wentworth Institute of Technology in a Commonwealth Coast Conference contest played at Allied Veterans Rink.
With the win the Gulls even their record to 2-2-2 overall and 2-2-1 in CCC play while the Leopards fall to 1-6-0 (1-4-0).
Endicott put 18 shots on net in the first period, but a strong effort by junior Ryan Hubbard (West Bridgewater, Mass.) held the Gulls to one goal. Olsson sent a cross ice pass to freshman Jason Kalinowski (Stamford, Conn.) who beat Hubbard to the right just 2:52 into the contest. Five of Endicott's shots in the period came when the Leopards successfully killed off a major penalty.
Olsson gave the Gulls a 2-0 lead when he connected on the power play off passes from sophomore Tommy Besinger (Milton, Mass.) and sophomore Cam Bleck (Lake Forest, Ill.) at the 6:04 mark of the second period. Just over two minutes later, Wentworth got on the board when junior Jake McDonough (Marshfield, Mass.) and sophomore Angus Johnston (Calgary, Alta.) set up sophomore Matthew Kennedy (Mount Pearl, N.L.).
Wentworth nearly tied the game with 3:03 left in the frame. After a tripping call on a breakaway, sophomore Byron Carlisle (Orleans, Mass.) took a penalty shot which was saved by junior Kevin Aldridge (Birmingham, Mich.).
The Leopards had an 11-5 shot advantage in the third period, however Aldridge kept the Black & Gold from making a comeback. At the 4:27 mark, Bleck scored on the power play – from Olsson – to add an insurance marker.
With 2:14 remaining, Hubbard was pulled for an extra attacker and Wentworth kept the puck in the Endicott zone. The Leopards had a two-man advantage for the final 1:09 of the game however, despite keeping the puck in the Gulls' end, were unable to capitalize on scoring chances.
Aldridge made 26 saves in the win while Hubbard made 32 stops in a losing effort. Endicott had a 35-27 shot advantage.
Wentworth is at Western New England on Saturday while Endicott is at Suffolk.
