Men’s Ice Hockey’s Comeback Cut Short Against MCLA

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – The Rivier men's ice hockey's late-game comeback was halted by a last-second empty net goal from Mass. Liberal Arts (MCLA) to close out the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) contest, 4-2, Saturday evening at Peter W. Foote Vietnam Veterans Memorial Rink.

The Raiders hold a record of 3-5-1 (0-3-1 MASCAC) heading into the break, while the Trailblazers improved to 1-8-0 (1-3-0 MASCAC) with the win.

MCLA got to work early on, finding twine just shy of the five-minute mark in the first period. Rivier found a little momentum following the game's first tally and outshot the Trailblazers 9-3 in the period.

MCLA doubled up the score in a similar fashion to the first, scoring six minutes into the second frame. Just under four minutes later, the Raiders' sophomore forward Jake Laville cut the Trailblazers' lead to one after connecting with the senior forward tandem of Nicolas Paolucci and Cormac Hayes to net the power play goal. However, MCLA did not go away, scoring a powerplay goal of their own in just over three minutes and going up, 3-1.

Rivier continued to capitalize on the powerplay opportunities into the third period. Laville netted his second of the game, this time linking up with junior defenseman Carter Poulin and senior forward Jon Tavella, bringing them within one once again. With the Raiders goaltender pulled, MCLA sealed the deal with 41 seconds remaining and closed the game out, 4-2.

Senior goaltender Luke Newell logged 15 saves in the matchup.

When the Raiders return from the break, they have a date with NCAA Division II cross-state foe Franklin Pierce on Friday, Jan. 3. Puck drop is scheduled for 5:40 p.m. at Conway Arena.