HAMDEN, Conn. -- It was sort of an unorthodox home opener for Post University Men's Ice Hockey on Friday afternoon as the Eagles opened up conference play against Saint Michael's College down at the Louis Astorino Arena and for the first two periods put on a show for the hometown fans before a four-goal third period for the Purple Knights propelled them by Post, 4-2, as the Eagles dropped their second straight game of the season. 

THE BASICS

Post University 2, Saint Michael's College 4

Post University (0-2-0, 0-1-0 NE10)

Saint Michael's College (3-0-0, 1-0-0 NE10) 

HOW IT HAPPENED
Towards the end of the first period, a scramble in front of junior goalie Cole Manahan led to a scoring chance for the Eagles which first found the stick of junior forward Hugh McGuigan before coming across to fellow junior forward Jacob Howell who finished the opportunity to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead after one. Manahan had eight first-period saves while senior goalie Drew Blodgett, who got the start for Post on the other end of the ice, made 10 saves. 

Adding to the lead in the second would be freshman forward Scotty Swain with the help of junior forward Joe Santoro while Blodgett continued to pitch his shutout for the Eagles in net with seven more stops in the frame which included helping Post kill off a late power-play for the Purple Knights. Looking primed for their first win of the season, the Eagles headed into the third period with a 2-0 lead before the wheels fell off over the final 20 minutes. 

After junior forward Nick Wracker netted the first goal of the day for Saint Michael's a costly five-minute major issued to freshman forward Max Beaulac for hitting from behind which resulted in a game misconduct ended up giving the Purple Knights five minutes with an extra man. That would lead to sophomore forward Hans Forselius tying things up at two and just over a minute later junior forward Matti Tauriainen giving the Purple Knights their first lead of the day, 3-2.

While Post would not go quietly, their undoing would end up being on the power play after freshman forward SJ LeComte's slashing penalty with under four minutes remaining in regulation. A shot off the pad of Manahan would ricochet to sophomore forward Ty Bloom in transition who got by junior defenseman Trey Deloury and fed the puck over to senior forward Brennan McFarland for the dagger with 2:40 left in the 4-2 loss for the Eagles.

BY THE NUMBERS   

• Scotty Swain recorded his first collegiate goals in the first period for Post University
• Despite five man-up opportunities, Post University was 0-for-5 on the power play today and is now 0-for-7 to start the year on the power play 
• The last time Post University gave up four third-period goals came on November 28th, 2023 against Albertus Magnus in an 8-1 loss at home as well as on the road at Saint Anselm College on November 4th, 2023 in a 6-3 loss
• Post University has lost 11 consecutive games dating back to last season with their last win coming at home against Saint Anselm College in overtime, 3-2, on January 26th

WHO'S NEXT 
Post University finishes the two-game set with Saint Michael's College at home tomorrow inside the Louis Astorino Arena at 4:00 PM.