HENNIKER, N.H. — Dustin Walsh converted a rebound of his own shot with 4:27 remaining to cap a third-period rally and give the University of New England a 3-2 victory over New England College in a New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) game played Saturday afternoon at Lee Clement Arena.

Unbeaten in their last five games, the Nor’easters upped their overall record to 5- 4-2, 2-4-1 in conference play. UNE’s 5-4-2 mark is its best start in school history. NEC dipped to 5-3-1, 3-2-1 in NEHC action.

Trailing 2-1 heading into the final period, UNE tied the score short-handed when Trevor Fleurent scooped up a loose puck, carried it into the offensive zone and notched an unassisted goal just 46 seconds into the frame.

Walsh’s game-winning goal at 15:33 came off assists by Tom Gildersleeve and Ben Pearl.

UNE would grab a 1-0 lead at 8:23 of the first when Blaise Healy knocked in a beautiful feed from Armand Uolomeale. Brady Fleurent was credited with a secondary assist, his team-leading 10th helper of the season.

Down 1-0 after a period, the Pilgrims established a lead in the second with pair of markers. Kyle Manlow drew NEC even at 12:35 just after a UNE power play had expired, and then Connor Fries poked in a rebound off a Scott Cornfield shot to give New England College its first lead, 2-1. Fries’ power-play goal came with 1:36 remaining in the period.

Trailing 3-2 with time winding down, NEC would pull goaltender Brett Kilar in search of the equalizer, but the Nor’easters held off the Pilgrims for the win.

UNE rookie goaltender Connor Maloney recorded 25 stops to improve his unblemished record to 3-0-1. Kilar finished with 33 for NEC.

The Nor’easters have a long break before returning to action Jan. 2 at home versus Franklin Pierce University.

Comments are not available on this story.