Milan Breczko (11) celebrates a goal as the Raiders won in overtime in their home opener at Conway Arena on Friday night. (Photo courtesy of Rivier Athletics)

It was one up and one down for Rivier University winter men’s sports teams on Friday:

MEN’S HOCKEY

RIVIER 4, SUNY Canton 3 (OT)

With 53 seconds left in OT, Nicolas Paolucci scored to give the Raiders a dramatic win in their home opener at Conway Arena.

It was a quiet first period for both teams. In the second period Rivier (2-1-1) scored the first goal of the game on a power play by Milan Breczko (Klasterec Nad Ohri, Czech Republic), which was assisted by Zach Winslow and Jack Tos. A few minutes later Riv’s Avery Arnold knocked in a power play goal, assists credited to Ryan Nolte and Seth Robinson.

SUNY Canton answered back with a goal from Gino DeBlasiis, passed from Reilly McKinnon and Noah Robinson.

Gino DeBlasiis quickly found the back of the net for the second time with the assist credited to Reilly McKinnon in the third period for the Roos. Riv’s Arnold skated by the defenders, to score his second goal of the night as well. Evan Pringle put away a goal for SUNY Canton with a pass from Sam Martin to tie the game at 3-3. Neither team scored again in the third period, forcing the game to go into overtime before Paolucci won it for Riv.

Luke Newell (Littleton, CO) had 35 saves in net for the Raiders, taking the win. Filip Schlyter had 31 saves in goal for the Roos.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

UNE 62,RIVIER 56

Rivier men’s basketball fellto the University of New England in non-conference play, the Jim Beaudry Classic, in the Harold Alfond Forum in Biddeford, Me.

The Raiders played a tight game throughout. The Nor’easters took just a two-point lead into the half. UNE kept Riv at arm’s reach in the second half as well, ending it 34-30 to give them the six-point victory.

Nikolas Pignone (Stoneham, MA) led the way for the Raiders, scoring 20 points giving him the game-high. He was followed closely by Pharaoh Davis (Plainville, MA), who ended with 16 points.

UNE’s Winston Bryan topped the team with 18 points. Ray Evans finished with 11 points, with teammate Drake Gavin besting all athletes with 12 boards and four assists.

Rivier will close out their participation in the Beaudry Classic at noon vs. Maine-Presque Isle.

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