HENNIKER , N.H. — Blake Alexander (Mansfield, Conn.) scored his second goal of the season, but the Western Connecticut State University men's ice hockey team fell in a close game, 2-1, at New England College in Little East Conference action on Friday. The Wolves dropped to 0-7-0 and 0-4-0, while the Pilgrims moved to 2-4-0 and 1-4-0.

Alexander intercepted the puck in the neutral zone before darting towards the goal for the first goal of the game at 5:21 in the opening period. Five minutes later, Gunnar Sibley netted the equalizer to capitalize on the short-handed Wolves at 10:42 in the first. The Pilgrims connected for the eventual game-winner at 7:43 in the second stanza as Jack Herron put the hosts up, 2-1.

WestConn went 0-3 on powerplays, while NEC converted on 1-of-2. Liam Lane (Castle Rock, Colo.) stopped 30 shots in the net for the visitors and Anthony Beaulieu made 25 saves for the home team.

The Wolves remain on the road for league play against Plymouth State University on Saturday for a 2 p.m. puck drop.