Box Score HARRISVILLE, R.I. (Nov. 8) – Nichols' men's ice hockey opened up the 2011-12 season with a 3-3 overtime tie at home in a non-conference contest against Westfield State on Tuesday night at June Rockwell Levy Rink. The Bison begin the season 0-0-1 while Westfield State moves to 1-0-1 on the year.

Westfield State found success in the opening period with a pair of goals. The first came at 10:35 as freshman Sebastien Poirier put the puck in the back of the net off feeds from sophomores Ian Reopel and Adam Baldassarre. At 15:05 the Owls struck again on a power play goal off the stick of rookie Steve Evans that was setup by senior A.J. Shiverdecker. Nichols outshot the Owls 17-10 as Westfield State took advantage of one of its two extra man opportunities.

Bison first-year Joe Sposit sounded the siren at 7:36 as he deposited the puck in the net following passes from classmate and junior Zach Kohn. Sophomore Greg Strootman setup senior Zach Hendrickson who beat the Owl goalkeeper to tie the game at 2-2. Nichols took the lead on a goal by rookie Louie Educate as he snuck the puck in the net off a pass from sophomore Blake Bishop at 9:23.

The Owls evened the contest as freshman Frank Zuccaro planted the second Westfield State power play goal of the game off an assist by rookie Nic Vidoni and senior Pat Nelson. for the period, Nichols maintained the lead on shots (20-13) as each team went one-for-three on power play chances.

Westfield State doubled up the Bison on shots in the third period (16-8) as neither team scored and had a power play each. In the extra session Nichols had an extra man opportunity and outshot the Owls 7-2.

Senior Jacob Rinn amassed 38 saves for the Bison while sophomore Eddie Davey made 49 stops for the Owls.

Nichols continues its three-game homestand when Assumption is in town for a 7:40 p.m. contest. Westfield State heads out to Utica for a 7:00 p.m. game also on Friday.

Box Score