BOSTON, MASS – The Elmira College Men’s Ice Hockey team got back to its winning ways on Friday evening, picking up its first NEHC road win in as many tries against the Beacons from UMass Boston, 4-1.
After Cole Tucker ’25 cracked the scoreboard at the 6:33 mark in the opening period, the game-winner would come off the stick of Kerfalla Toure ’26 who scored for EC in the 2nd period at the 8:59 mark.
Kyle Curtin ’26 would put together a tremendous effort between the pipes for the Soaring Eagles, making 42 saves while allowing just one goal. For Curtin, it was just his second goal allowed while making 72 saves in a pair of games.
JUST THE BASICS:
SCORE: Elmira 4, UMass Boston 1
LOCATION: Boston, Mass. | Edward T. Barry Ice Arena
TEAM RECORDS: Elmira (3-3-0, 2-1-0 NEHC), UMass Boston (2-5-0, 2-3-0 NEHC)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The game would receive some early offense, as Tucker was able to put the Soaring Eagles ahead 1-0 early with a goal in the 7th minute of play on an assist from Toure. For Tucker, the even-strength goal was the third goal of his career.
In the opening period of play, the Beacons were able to outshoot Elmira 17-10, despite just eight shots going on frame. The Soaring Eagles would close out the first period going 0-for-3 on the power play, finishing the contest 0-for-4.
In the second, Toure would find the twine just before the 9:00 mark in the period, unassisted. The goal would go down as the game-winner for the Soaring Eagles. Just six minutes later, it would be the Beacons who would convert on a power play of its own after Shawn Kennedy ’24 was tabbed with a tripping call just a minute and a half prior.
With Elmira leading 2-1, the Purple & Gold would add a much needed insurance goal, which came off the stick of Jake Russo ’23. The score would come off the sticks of defensemen Jordan Gonzalez ’24 and Daniel Dimon ’24. Gonzalez would finish the contest with a +/- of +3.
The scoring would conclude in the third period as the Soaring Eagles received a 13th minute goal from Janis Vizbelis ’24. On the score, Graham Denomme ’23 would be credited with an assist. The remainder of the contest would go quiet, with neither team scoring in the final seven minutes.
UP NEXT:
Elmira returns to the ice tomorrow afternoon and concludes its first NEHC road trip of the season as it heads to Attleboro, Massachusetts to take on Johnson & Wales. Puck drop is set for 4:00 PM from the New England Sports Village.
