Men’s Ice Hockey Falls 4-3 to MCLA on Opening Night of Family Weekend

NASHUA, N.H. — MCLA came back from a 3-1 first period deficit to down the Raiders and collect the team's first win since reinstating the program after a 20-season hiatus at Conway Arena on Saturday night. Rivier fell to 0-2-1 on the season, while the Trailblazers jumped to 1-0-1 (0-0-1 MASCAC) with the victory.

The Raiders dominated the first period, putting away three goals to the Trailblazers' one. Hunter Phillips was the Raider to get the scoring started with a quick feed from Devon Jolley and Brett Turner under two minutes into the contest.

Liam Hennessy capitalized on the power play for Riv, launching in a goal from just in front of the blue line, with assists credited to Carter Poulin and Cormac Hayes with under nine minutes remaining in the period.

MCLA's Sean Schifferl riffled in a shot, bouncing off Riv's goalie, giving Cade Herrera the opportunity to slip in their first goal of the game on the rebound at 15:04 in the first.

Turner possessed the puck in Riv's zone, firing Hayes up ice, who tapped in a goal to put the Raiders up 3-1 to close out period one.

After a scoreless second period, MCLA came out fast in the third period, recording three straight goals to take the lead and clinch the win.

In the opening minute, Cade registered his second of the night with an assist from Schifferl.

To tie the game at 3-3, Luke Rhoss slapped in a Trailblazers goal with an assist generated by Addam Brunner.  

Cade picked up his hat trick on the game-winning goal on a feed from Schifferl with eleven minutes to play in the contest.

Raider's goaltender Luke Newell made 18 saves in the setback.

The Raiders are back tomorrow with another home game on Family Weekend against UMass Dartmouth with a puck drop of 2:50 p.m.