The Men’s Hockey team won both of their games as they hosted UMass Boston and Babson on February 10th and 11th, respectively. Earning these four conference points on the final weekend of regular season play was perhaps the most significant accomplishment of their season thus far; not only did it secure for them sole possession of 2nd place in the conference (and home ice advantage for playoffs) but it also gives the team exactly the kind of momentum you hope for heading into post-season play. These games extend their current win streak to 6, and there couldn’t be a better time for a team to be playing so well than right at the tail end of the regular season.
Their overall record this year was 17-7 (13-5 in the NEHC) – the best record the team has had since the 2006-2007 season. Currently, the team is barely outside of the USCHO’s top 15 rankings for NCAA D3 programs and are receiving an impressive number of votes, meaning that the college hockey community considers them to be one of the 20 best D3 college hockey teams in the country. The success of this team so far this year is gaining national recognition, and the secret to their success has been balanced scoring and consistent, reliable goal tending.
The team has 11 guys with 10 or more points and 4 guys with 20 or more. The value of having such wide-spread contribution is that there are multiple players capable of being a
threat to the opposition on any given night, making the Pilgrims one of the most dangerous teams in the conference. In addition to their balanced scoring, the outstanding play of senior goaltender Brett Kilar has been paramount to the team’s success. Kilar has received all conference honors throughout the season, being named NEHC Goalie of the Week multiple times, and his play between the pipes is a large reason for why the team has done as well as they have.
To continue to follow the team’s success, visit the school’s athletics website – athletics.nec.edu
