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ASTON, Pa. -- Nazareth's inaugural men's hockey season came to a close Wednesday in the first round of the ECAC West playoffs as host Neumann opened a 2-0 lead after two periods and went on to take a 4-1 victory over the Golden Flyers at the Ice Works Arena.
 
The Golden Flyers, playing the Knights for the fourth time this season and for the third time in six days, completed its season with an overall record of 6-19-1. Neumann, ranked 13th  nationally in the most recent uscho.com poll, improved to 17-6-3. The Knights will visit second seeded Hobart for a conference semifinal game on Saturday.

"I'm proud of the way our guys competed all season," said Nazareth Coach George Roll. "Tonight we were able to cut it to 2-1 in the third and our guys never quit."
 
Dave Gervais scored twice for Neumann in the third period, including an empty-net tally in the closing minute. Goals by Sean Crozier and Dan McDougall in the first and second periods respectively gave the Knights a 2-0 lead.
 
Nazareth made it interesting early in the third period when freshman defenseman Scott Dawson scored on a power play blast for his ninth goal of the season to close the gap to 2-1. Juniors Jordan Ciccarello and Mark Zavorin had assists.
 
Neumann outshot Nazareth 30-20. Freshman Ed Zdolshek was in goal for the Golden Flyers and had 26 saves. Braely Torres earned the victory in goal for the Knights by making 19 saves.

The game also was the last in the career of Nazareth's lone senior, Ben Waldman, who finished fourth on the team in scoring with 18 points on seven goals and 11 assists while serving as team captain.

"He's helped lay a foundation for us," said Roll. "He pushed us to a competitive level that should bode well for the future."