(Courtesy of Middlebury College Sports Information)

St. Michael's Downs Southern Maine 6-3 at Middlebury Holiday Classic

            MIDDLEBURY, Vt. –- The St. Michael's College Purple Knights recorded their first victory of the winter scoring a season-high six goals, including a trio in the second period, en route to a 6-3 victory over the University of Southern Maine Huskies during the 21st Middlebury College Holiday Classic consolation game.

            The Purple Knights, now 1-8-1 overall, had gone winless in their first nine games this season.  The Huskies, winless in their last five games (0-3-2), slip to 4-6-2 overall.  The two teams will meet again at St. Michael's on January 24 for an ECAC Men's East game.

            St. Michael's got on the scoreboard just 2:24 into the contest on a rebound shot by rookie Caleb Lothian (Franklin, Vt.) for his first career goal following a wrap-around attempt from sophomore Nick Potter (Stoneham, Mass.). With just seconds remaining before the intermission, the Purple Knights gained a two-goal advantage with a score from rookie Justin McKenzie (Hawthorne, N.J.).

            In the second period, St. Michael's exploded with three goals and increased its advantage to 5-0. Skating on the power play, sophomore Kevin Altidor (Montreal, Quebec) laced a one-timer from just outside the crease via passes from freshmen Danny Divis (Media, Pa.) and Josh Dickman (Kapaa, Hawaii).

            Near the midway point of the period, Southern Maine looked to get on the board when senior Angelo Vrachnas (St. James. N.Y.) worked his way through the zone before St. Mike's junior goalie Dave Donzanti (West Chester, Pa.) made a sprawling pad save.

            St. Michael's pushed its lead to four at the 14:26 mark on a wrist shot from between the circles from junior AJ Pierprzak (Barrie, Ontario) after receiving a nifty pass from Altidor.  The advantage went to five on the power play at the 19:10 mark as Altidor notched his second man-up score of the period on a tip-in after a battle in front of the crease.

            USM freshman Sam Blanchet (Laurier-Station, Quebec) looked to get the Huskies on the board nearly two minutes into the third period, but Donzanti kept his shutout bid intact with a sliding left pad save going to his left.  However, Southern Maine senior Mike Greene (Arvada, Colo.) ended the Purple Knight goalie's scoreless streak at 7:35 of the third when he scored short-handed.

            The teams traded goals just 27 seconds apart nearing the midway point of the final stanza. St. Michael's Potter tallied his second goal of the season at 8:56.  Blanchet recorded his second goal of the winter at 9:23.  The final goal for Southern Maine was scored in the final minute short-handed by sophomore Alex Pompeo (Hingham, Mass.).

            In goal, sophomore Josh Hillegas (Middleton, Wis.) logged the opening 40:00 for Southern Maine tallying 10 saves, while classmate Michael Gendreau (Medford, Mass.) played the final period making three saves.  Donzanti stopped 23 shots to earn the victory.

            Southern Maine returns home to host in-state rival Colby College in a non-conference game on Tuesday (7:00 p.m.).  Saint Michael's travels to Southern New Hampshire University on Tuesday (7:00 p.m.) for a non-league game.

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