Box l Updated Stats

ELMIRA, NY - Nazareth battled close against Elmira, but ultimately came up short in a competitive conference match Friday night. The Golden Flyers (8-9-2 overall, 5-4-1 in UCHC play) held a brief 1-0 lead in the first few minutes, but gave up two consecutive goals and never regained the lead against the Soaring Eagles (10-8-2 overall, 5-4-2 in the conference). With the loss, Nazareth dropped its fourth game in a row.

Nazareth jumped out to an early lead when David Powlowski found the net just five minutes into the game on a power play. Elmira's defense prevented the Golden Flyers from capitalizing on some potential opportunities, closing passing lanes as soon as they opened. Nick Ford tied the game for the Soaring Eagles with 3:30 remaining in the period, threading the puck through Nazareth's defense from the far left wing. Neither team took many shots, combining for only 11 after twenty minutes, and the score was 1-1 heading into the first intermission.

 The Golden Flyers had a trio of power plays in the second period, including a brief 5-on-3 advantage, but could not capitalize on any of them. Instead, it was Elmira who broke the tie, nine minutes into the period, as Matthew Cuce flipped the puck into the top corner of the net. Nazareth trailed 2-1 entering the final frame.
 
Less than a minute and a half after a J.R. Wojciechowski goal evened the score 4:37 into the third period, Connor Davis committed a five-minute major. The man advantage for Elmira was short-lived, as the Soaring Eagles responded with a minor penalty, and four-on-four play ensued. Neither team could steal the lead during this time.
 
As soon as Davis' penalty expired midway through the period, Connor Powell scored for Elmira from just outside the crease, putting Nazareth at a 3-2 deficit from which they were unable to recover.
 
A power play for the Golden Flyers with under six minutes remaining offered a few good looks, but the team was unable to score an equalizing goal.
 
Elmira outshot Nazareth 38-27, and the gap would have been larger if not for a flurry of shots from the Golden Flyers in the waning minutes.
 
Nazareth goaltender Michael Tilford saved 35 of the shots sent his way and Gennaro Anzevino saved 25 of 27 shots for Elmira.
 
The Golden Flyers return home for their next match to face Lebanon Valley on February 3 at 7 pm.