PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Plymouth State University scored two goals in 1:24 in the later stages of the second period to break a 2-2 tie, taking control in an eventual 5-2 victory over the Keene State College men's ice hockey team on Friday night at Hanaway Rink.

In the first-ever meeting between the two in-state rivals in men's ice hockey, there were plenty of action and dramatics in front of an engaged crowd, but it was ultimately Plymouth (4-3-0, 4-1-0 LEC) who came through on their offensive chances to pull away.  After allowing a goal 29 seconds in, KSC (4-3-0, 1-3-0 LEC) got a pair in the first period from freshman Zack Chouinard – his third and fourth goals of the season – to take a lead at 18:26 after the Quebec native scored on the power play.  However, the Panthers tied the game at the first intermission by scoring with 11 seconds left.
Cameron Reardon made six saves early in the second to keep it a 2-2 game and prevent PSU from gaining momentum after the late goal, and the Owls were then buzzing midway through the period but could not break through.  They had an unsuccessful power play that included Peter Unger hitting the pipe with six seconds left on the advantage and 10:26 to go in the period and Plymouth goalie Brandon Shantz then made four more stops in the ensuing three minutes after the power play expired.

After recording just one shot attempt in an eight minute span, a hooking penalty on Kyle Gonzalez with 5:36 to go in the period ultimately swung the game in Plymouth's favor as Matt Hale put the home team ahead 3-2 with 42 seconds left on the power play opportunity.  KSC had a chance early on the penalty kill for a shorthanded bid, but Mike Collett fired wide at 14:51.  Etienne Tremblay-Mathieu then made it a 4-2 game with 2:54 on the clock as the Panthers carried a two-goal lead into the third.  Reardon made four saves and the Owls blocked two other shots in the final two minutes to prevent another.

The Panthers tacked on a fifth just 12 seconds after an uneventful four-on-four early in the third as Hale made it 5-2 with his second of the night.

The Owls had a chance to get back into it by getting a power play chance after a trip on David Matousek with 3:04 to go, but Shantz made a save on Carney with 2:33 left and Carney was then whistled for a five-minute major 26 seconds later to wash away the man-advantage.

Reardon made 50 saves for KSC, including 23 in the first period.  Connor Strobel made six first period saves in 10:54 in relief duty of Shantz, who started and then came back to begin the second and made 14 saves overall.

"This was a pretty decent game for a young team up against a really solid opponent," said KSC head coach Bobby Rodrigue.  "We are right back at it tomorrow at NEC."

The Owls and Pilgrims are slated for a 4:00 p.m. puck drop on Saturday (November 22) at the Lee Clement Arena, one of just two games remaining before KSC has a month-long holiday break.  The Owls are at Keene Ice against King's College (Pa.) on December 5 at 4:00 p.m.