NEW LONDON, Conn. -- The Connecticut College men's ice hockey team kicked off 2023 with an impressive triumph over Division II Assumption University. The Camels took down the Greyhounds 3-1 at Dayton Arena to get back in the win column. 

Brett Moccia (Lake Forest, Ill.), Cole Eichler (King, Ontario) and Rocco Testa-Basi (Holland Patent, N.Y.) tallied scores to lead the hosts to victory.

The high-paced game featured an action-packed first period in which three of the contest's four goals were recorded. Just under eight minutes into the opening frame, the Camels earned a five-on-three power play. Eric Fournier (Lethbridge, Alberta) skated with the puck near the right face off circle in the Greyhounds defensive zone. The senior ripped a wrister on net that appeared to be going wide, but Moccia was perfectly positioned at the far post to redirect the attempt into the back of the net for the opening goal of the game. 

Eight minutes later, following a penalty on Conn, the Greyhounds capitalized on the power play when Colin Philippon tipped in a shot from teammate Camron Roberts to tie the game at 1-1. 

With less than one minute left in the period, the Camels once again earned the man-advantage following an Assumption penalty. On the break, Anthony Quatieri (Peabody, Mass.) skated up the left side of the ice and dished it to an open Eichler who glided into the slot and blasted a wrister past Greyhounds goaltender Drew Benedict. Eichler's goal gave the Camels a 2-1 lead heading into the second period. 

Throughout the first 20 minutes, the two teams had trouble staying out of the penalty box as the Camels were assessed three penalties, while Assumption served four minor infractions. The penalties continued into the second period. An additional six were given out, including a five-minute major by the hosts. The Camels penalty kill unit and goaltender Kellen Beauton (Colchester, Conn.) were incredibly efficient, holding the Greyhounds off the scoreboard despite being down a man for 11 minutes of the period.

Entering the third with a 2-1 deficit, the Greyhounds were more aggressive in the final stanza. The visitors outshot the Camels 8-5 but Beauton turned away every attempt. Halfway through the frame, Conn earned a fortunate insurance goal. Testa-Basi skated past the blue line and into Greyhounds territory. The first year attempted to dump the puck while teammate Donte Pierre (Brooklyn, N.Y.) stood in front of Benedict. The Greyhounds goalie was screened by Pierre and Testa-Basi's pass sailed past him and into the net to give the Camels a 3-1 lead.

For the remainder of the game, Assumption tried to muster an offensive attack to get back into the contest, but Conn's defense, led by Steven Ardagna (Roswell, Ga.), held strong. Ardagna blocked two shots down the stretch to keep the visitors off the scoreboard and seal the victory for the Camels. 

Beauton picked up the first win of his collegiate career, stopping 20 shots in the process. Benedict made 32 saves for Assumption. The Camels outshot the Greyhounds 35-21 and scored on two-of-four power play attempts.

Prior to the game, Connecticut College celebrated Doug Roberts, the school's first men's ice hockey head coach. Roberts participated in the ceremonial puck drop which also featured his grandsons, Camron and William Roberts, both who play for the Greyhounds. 

Connecticut College (2-7 overall) will next travel to Albertus Magnus for a Friday night matchup on January 6 at 5 p.m.