Men’s Ice Hockey Downed by Westfield St., 4-1

NASHUA, N.H. – The Rivier men's ice hockey team fell 4-1 to Westfield St. in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) matchup Saturday night at Conway Arena.

The Raiders dropped to 4-8-1 (0-5-1 MASCAC), while the Owls improved to 7-6 (3-3-0 MASCAC).

Westfield St. got to work early in the offensive zone, outshooting Rivier 4-1 in the opening three minutes of action. The Owls ended the opening frame just how they started it, notching another six unanswered shots during a late power-play. Despite the offensive attack, the score remained 0-0 heading into the first intermission as senior goalkeeper LJ Newell made 15 stops in the first 20 minutes.

Westfield St. continued its offensive prowess in the second period, recording the game's first tally at 1:28 of the frame. The Owls tacked on two additional goals before the horn sounded, sending the Raiders to the locker room down 3-0 at the second intermission.

Westfield St. capitalized early on once again, this time on the power play, to net their fourth unanswered goal of the contest. The Raiders got one back at the 7:16 mark of the third period as graduate Cormac Hayes connected with senior Nicolas Paolucci behind the Owls' net who then found a wide-open sophomore Damon Kiyawasew who ripped it top shelf to notch Rivier's lone goal.

The Raiders pulled Newell with three minutes remaining and recorded 10 shots in hopes of adding more to the board, but Westfield St. held on to take the contest 4-1.

Newell logged 36 saves in the setback.

The Raiders are back in action Friday, Jan. 17 when they take on MASCAC opponent Framingham St. at Conway Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.