Men’s Ice Hockey Sets Program Record with 4-3 Victory Over Saint Anselm

NASHUA, N.H.  – Four different goal scorers contributed in the Rivier men's ice hockey team's 4-3 win over in-state opponent Saint Anselm on Tuesday night at Conway Arena. With the win, the Raiders set a program record for wins in a single season and moved to 9-8-2, while the Hawks fell to 6-12-2.

Rivier's ninth win comes under the direction of first-year head coach Shaun Millerick who has led his squad to wins over three NE10 opponents on the season, all of which reside in New Hampshire.

Saint Anselm's Hunter Brackett broke the deadlock 16:25 into the first when his backhand bid on a 4-on-3 man-advantage beat two Rivier defenders and a sprawling Will Augustine in net to put the visitors ahead. Less than a minute later, now with a five-on-three powerplay, Luke Linart rifled in a wrister from the top of the right circle to put the Hawks up 2-0.

With less than ten seconds left in the opening period, Liam Hennessy tipped a shot from the point off the stick of Devon Jolley which trickled past Saint Anselm's Pj Benites to cut the deficit to one at the first intermission.

Rivier tied the contest just 1:34 into the second as Avery Arnold settled an errant clearing attempt at the right point and snapped a shot top-shelf through a screen to make it 2-2.

Augustine stood tall in the second, making 11 saves on 11 shots faced.

Tyler Sitnikov gave the Raiders their first lead of the game on an unassisted tally 3:49 into the third as he shot the puck past a sprawling Benites to make it 3-2.

The Hawks would not go away easily and would score on the powerplay yet again with 10:14 remaining as feed to the far post by Brackett would find the stick of Max Burum who buried the puck to tie the game at 3-3.

Off the next faceoff, Hunter Phillips won it back and made his way to the offensive zone. Brett Turner found a streaking Jon Tavella who dished a backhanded pass to a wide-open Phillips who picked the corner low blocker side to give the Raiders a 4-3 lead.

Despite an empty-net bid by the Hawks in the final minute, Rivier held on for the one-goal victory.

Augustine made 30 saves on 33 shots in the triumph to improve to 3-4-1 on the campaign.

Saint Anselm went 3-for-5 on the powerplay while the Raiders were unsuccessful on their two chances.

Rivier now sits 1-2-0 in the all-time series against the Hawks.

The Raiders return to the friendly confines of Conway Arena on Saturday, Jan. 27 in a showdown against fellow independent program Albertus Magnus with a 6:20 p.m. puck drop. The game will be a "White Out" where fans are encouraged to wear white. The first 150 fans in attendance will receive rally towels, courtesy of the team. Additionally, the team invites all fans to "Skate with the Raiders" after the final buzzer.