NORTHFIELD, VT. – Competing in their first matchup since Dec. 2, the Wesleyan men's ice hockey team, led by Parker Sondag '26, fell 2-1 in non-conference action to No. 13 University of New England in the Northfield Savings Bank Holiday Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 30. The tournament is hosted by Norwich University at Kreitzberg Arena.

In goal in for the Cardinals, Erik Voloshin '24 and the defense put up a fight in the Cardinals own zone, holding the Nor'easters to no goals as the first 20 minutes of action remained scoreless. Voloshin made an early 18 saves as the Cardinals were outshot 28-13. Owen Sweet '25 led an offensive push from the face-off, winning four draws through the first while Dan Lurie '26 led in shots on goal with two.

The Nor'easters gained the extra-man advantage early in the second period as the Cardinals were called for a face-off violation. After quick action around Voloshin in the Cardinals goal, Tiger Bjornlund '24 picked the puck in the neutral zone for an attempted short-handed breakaway but was shut down by Nor'easters goalkeeper Billy Girard. Making quick work to get the puck back up the ice, the Nor'easters opened the scoring with 34 seconds remaining on the power play as Logan DiScanio snapped the puck over Voloshin's shoulder.

The Cardinals opened the third period on the power play as the Nor'easters were called for tripping. With 1:27 on the penalty and 18:37 on the game clock, Sondag struck to tie the game after a scrum at the left wall was won by Ethan Davidson '26, sending the puck to Sondag just inside the right face-off circle. Sondag's shot stuffed the puck between Girard's left pad and the post.

The Nor'easters took a 2-1 lead as DiScanio scored his second of the afternoon from the blue line, the puck bouncing behind Voloshin as they were granted another power play opportunity immediately after the Cardinals goal. Patrick Morrissey '25 had one of the final scoring attempts of the afternoon for the Cardinals.

Voloshin finished with 41 saves in goal as Girard made 16 at the other end. The Cardinals won 25 draws on the face-off as Sweet won 12. Lurie, Morrissey, Sondag, and Zach Stimeling '27 led all Cardinals with four total shots apiece, Lurie with three on goal.

The Cardinals will face the runner-up of the No. 11 Norwich University and Aurora University matchup to end 2023 in a consolation game on Sunday, Dec. 31, at 3:30 p.m.