WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – The Wilkes University men's ice hockey team was back in action Saturday evening for the second match of the weekend two-in-two, taking on Neumann University. Another matchup between two of the top teams in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) saw the Knights take a 3-2 victory over the Colonels.
Following the defeat, Wilkes fell to 8-5-3 (5-5-2), while Neumann improved their record to 10-5-1 (9-2-1).
The Colonels grabbed the first goal of the game early on in the first at 3:31 while on the power play.
Patrick Roginski (Shelby Twp., MI/) fed
Cam Lowe (Lancaster, MA/) as the latter fired a wrister from the blue line which went top shelf to give the home side a 1-0 lead.
Neumann answered back just about five minutes later when Odin Ford evened things up for the Knights at 8:38 into the opening period. The away side then took the lead with just six seconds left in the period, when Zack Smith made a 2-1 contest going into the first intermission.
The two sides traded shot for shot and save for save during a quick second period, until the Blue and Gold tied things up at 18:56.
Matt Carlson (Delmar, NY/) fired a rebound home after Lowe's shot was saved, making it a 2-2 contest going into the second intermission. Lowe earned an assist on the play, his second point of the night.
Just as it was a night before, the Colonels and Neumann were tied up in the third period. The Knights would score the eventual game-winning goal at 7:33 into the final period of play. Dustin Patterson notched the tally that would clinch a weekend sweep over the Colonels.
In goal for Wilkes,
Duncan Rolleman (New Hamburg, ON/) made 32 saves in a valiant effort between the pipes. Alongside his goal, Carlson led the Colonels with four shots on goal. The centerman also went 16 for 26 on face-offs.
For Neumann, Christian Green stopped 23 shots in the victory. Matt Dimaline led the Knights with five shots on target.
The Colonels return to play next Friday afternoon, Jan. 23 when they take on Alvernia University in the first game of another weekend two-in-two. Puck drop in the Friday matinee against the Golden Wolves is slated for 2 p.m. from the Toyota Sportsplex.
