DANBURY, Conn. — Tyler Gobel (Lindon, N.J.) netted the eventual game-winner for the Western Connecticut State University men's ice hockey team first Little East Conference victory in program history. The Wolves defeated New England College, 3-2, at the Danbury Ice Arena on Saturday. WestConn improved to 2-18-0 overall and 1-12-0 in the league, while the Pilgrims fell to 6-14-0 and 5-8-0.

Gobel gave the Wolves the 3-2 edge off two quick passes from Francis Rose (Clarkston, Mich.) and Scott McNulty (Williamstown, N.J.) at 17:40 in the second period.

The visitors struck first in the first period, but Drew Coady (Braintree, Mass.) knotted the game at one apiece 11 seconds into the second stanza. Gobel won the opening faceoff to start the period, and after a few back-and-forth passes, Coady delivered the equalizer near the Wolves' bench, assisted by Gobel and McNulty. Five minutes later, the Pilgrims regained the lead off a shorthanded goal for the 2-1 lead at 5:04.

With NEC down a skater following a penalty, McNulty capitalized on the opportunity to again tie the score at 2-2 at 13:13 in the second period. The Pilgrims attempted to get the puck out of the attack zone, but Rose kept it in play in the neutral zone before sending it to Victor-Antoine Fortier (Sherbrooke, Quebec) near the left side boards, then tapped it to McNulty.

In the cage for WestConn, Liam Lane (Castle Rock, Colo.) stopped 37 shots, including 17 in a scoreless third period. Lane earned his second win of the season and stood tall for the Wolves, including with an extra skater for the two and a half minutes of action. On the other side, Pilgrims' goaltender Danny Miscavish denied 16 shots on goal.

WestConn remains at home for another LEC matchup against Keene State University on Saturday, February 7, for a 3 p.m. puck drop.