The Rivier women had a lot to celebrate on Friday nightas their win over Nichols puts them at 9-4 on the season.(Photo courtesy of Rivier Athletics)

HARRISVILLE, R.I. – The Rivier women’s ice hockey team defeated non-conference opponents Nichols, 3-1, Friday afternoon at Levy Rink.

With the win, the Raiders improved to 9-4-0, while Nichols fell to 3-10-0.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Nichols came out the gates firing, outshooting Rivier 9-3 in the first six minutes of play. The Bison finally broke through at 9:03 in the first period on an even chance opportunity.

First-year Olivia Tucker and junior Rebecca McKelvey connected to find an open first-year Lexi Davies to tie the game up, 1-1, with 7:41 remaining in the opening period.

Nichols regained its offensive momentum, outshooting the Raiders 9-2 through the remainder of the frame however, they were unable to break through, keeping the game level at 1 heading into the first intermission.

Both teams traded chance through the opening minutes of the second period.

The Bison earned a power-play opportunity just shy of the midway point of the frame, but it was the Raiders who capitalized, as senior Olivia Schultz found first-year Mary Kelley flying up the boards into the offensive zone and linked up with junior Tia Picardi to fire home the short-handed tally, giving Rivier a 2-1 lead.

Despite constant pressure from Nichols through the final 10 minutes of play, the score remained 2-1 after two.

The Raiders doubled their lead 49 second in the third period coming off the power-play with Schultz recorded her first goal and second point of the game off passes from Kelley and first-year Casey Roth.

Nichols poured in 30 shots in the final 20 minutes, however Rivier held firm and sealed the 3-1 victory.

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

Schultz and Kelley led the team with two points each.

Tucker first period assist was her first of her career.

First-year goaltender Emily Krauss recorded 46 saves for her fourth win of the campaign.

UP NEXT

The Raiders return to play Friday, Jan. 23 for Youth Sports Day and their Raider Game against Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) opponents Anna Maria. The opening puck-drop is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. at Conway Arena

MEN’S HOCKEY

SNHU 6, RIVIER 4

With the non-conference result at the Ice Den Arena, the Raiders moved to 1-13-1, while the Penmen moved to 6-7-1.

First-year Nick Zanin opened the scoring at 7:19 of the first frame, giving the Raiders a 1-0 lead, connecting with classmate Brogan Andrus and senior Ryan Cardow.

Just 40 seconds later, sophomore Damon Kiyawasew set up first-year Payton Kender, who buried a strike to double the Raiders’ advantage.

Midway through the second period, SNHU struck on the power play and added another goal to tie the game at 2-2 going into the final 20 minutes.

The Penmen took the lead, 3-2, 6:22 into the final frame with a shorthanded goal.

1:22 later, Kender blasted his second goal on a power-play opportunity, tying the game, with assists from first-year Aaron Sawicki and senior Carter Poulin. With 4:22 remaining, SNHU regained the lead, 4-3. The Penmen added a power-play goal and an empty-netter in the final three minutes to claim a 6-3 lead.

In a last effort, first-year Josh Coderre scored his first collegiate goal off feeds from classmate Jacob Bodin and junior Shawn Golden, but with 32 seconds remaining, it wasn’t enough.

Kender led the Raider offense with four shots on net and two goals, but Rivier was outshot 77-33…First-year goaltender Matt Dore recorded 38 saves but the Penmen controlled faceoffs 54-38…However,Sawicki dominated at the dot, winning 15 of 17 faceoffs.

The Raiders return home next Friday for their final non-conference match of the season against Salve Regina at Conway Arena, puck drop at 7:40 p.m.