Men’s Ice Hockey Falls to Anna Maria

AUBURN, Mass. – The Rivier men's ice hockey team suffered a 5-1 setback against Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) opponent Anna Maria on Thursday evening at Horgan Ice Rink. 

With the loss, the Raiders dropped to 5-12-1 (1-9-1 MASCAC), while the AMCATS improved to 13-5-0 (9-2-0 MASCAC).

Anna Maria struck early, scoring just 1:27 into the opening period. The AMCATS maintained offensive pressure, outshooting Rivier 20-8 in the first, but the score remained 1-0 at the intermission.

The Raiders responded at 5:55 of the second period when sophomore Damon Kiyawasew played the puck along the offensive boards to senior Nicolas Paolucci, who found junior Ryan Cardow open in the slot for the equalizer. However, Anna Maria answered with two more goals, one of which was to take a 3-1 lead into the second intermission.

The AMCATS continued their offensive push in the third, adding a goal just 1:39 into the period. In a final attempt to rally, the Raiders pulled sophomore goalkeeper Mason Meyer, but Anna Maria sealed the victory with an empty-net goal in the final 17 seconds, securing a 5-1 win.

Meyer finished the night with 43 saves in the loss.

The Raiders return to action on Saturday, Feb. 1 as they take on MASCAC rival Salem St. at Rockett Arena. Puck drop is set for 2:00 p.m.