(BOX SCORE)

PAWTUCKET, R.I.—Freshman Elijah Cohen (Peabody, MA/Peabody Veterans) netted a hat trick and Buffalo State (8-6-2) exploded for six third-period goals to defeated host Johnson & Wales (9-4-2), 7-5, in a non-conference game this afternoon at the Blackstone Valley Sports Center.

Justin Knee (Centralia, OH/South Huron), Tyler Nelson (Jamestown, NY/Falconer) and Nick Melligan (Sanborn, NY/Niagara-Wheatfield) had a goal and an assist each.  Mike Connolly (Shoreham, NY/Sault Area) also scored and Trevor McKinney (Oakwood, ON/Sinclair) had a pair of assists. 

The Wildcats scored the only goal of the first period, and then pushed the lead to 3-0 with two goals just 59 seconds apart early in the second frame.  The first of the quick strikes came with a two-man advantage, and the second was still on the power-play before the second Bengal penalty expired.  Cohen finally got Buffalo State on the scoreboard midway through the second with his first of the game and second goal of the season.

JWU extended its lead to 4-1 just 20 seconds into the third stanza.  After Connolly cut the deficit back to two, the Wildcats reclaimed the three-goal lead just 24 seconds later with less than 10 minutes remaining.  The Bengals shocked the home team with five goals in a span of 4:27, however, to skate away with the 7-5 win. 

Buffalo State outshot the Wildcats 41-36 for the game, including 20-14 in the third period.  Both teams were 2 for 8 on the power play.  Ryan Malinowski (E. Amherst, NY/Williamsville North) made 19 stops on 22 shots, before Kevin Carr (Unionville, ON/Unionville) came in for the third and had 12 saves on 14 shots to earn the win. 

Buffalo State will visit Hobart for another non-conference game on Tuesday at 7 p.m.