Men’s ice hockey team honored to take first trip to Frozen Four

The University of New England Nor’easters men’s ice hockey team fell to SUNY Geneseo in the NCAA Division III men’s ice hockey tournament on Friday, March 25, ending a historic run that saw the University’s first attendance at a national semifinal game.

The SUNY Geneseo Knights bested UNE 8-3 at the conclusion of the game, held at the Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid, New York — the site of the Olympic U.S. men's ice hockey team's "Miracle on Ice" in 1980. The Knights later lost the championship game to the Adrian College Bulldogs.

Friday’s loss halted the Nor’easters’ stunning 13-game win streak and 23-victory season, both program records for UNE. The week prior, on March 19, UNE defeated Utica University in the quarterfinals of the Division III championship, a win that garnered significant attention from local and regional press.

On March 5, UNE captured its second Commonwealth Coast Conference crown, defeating Endicott College 3-2 in overtime.

Men’s ice hockey head coach Kevin Swallow praised his team and thanked the UNE community for their support during the outstanding season, which saw UNE ranked in the top five nationally.

“The 2021-22 season was the best year in program history,” Swallow remarked. “The support from our UNE students, alumni, faculty, staff, the local community, and beyond has been outstanding over the past couple months. We cannot wait until October for the hockey season to start up again and to see the Alfond Forum packed for our home games again next year."