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BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Drew Olivieri pumped in four goals on four shot attempts to fuel No.1 seed University of New England as the Nor'easters demolished No.5 seed Nichols College, 10-0, in the semifinals of the 2026 Conference of New England Men's Ice Hockey Championship at the Harold Alfond Forum on Saturday night (Feb. 28).

UNE (21-5-0) -- which is ranked sixth in the latest USCHO.com national poll, and rated fourth in the most recent NCAA Power Index -- moves forward to entertain No.2 seed Endicott College (seventh USCHO, third NPI) in the tournament final next Saturday at 7 p.m. The Gull struck three times in the third period to separate from No.3 seed Suffolk University to advance. [CNE Championship Page]

Winners of now 11 straight, the Nor'easters only scored once during the initial period, but it was quick enough that it put the hosts on the front foot. Dominic Murphy tapped in a backhand at the left post with 1:29 elapsed, after a distance shot from Noah Szretter was saved by Bison starting goalie Ryan Henry. Olivieri began his evening with a secondary assist on the play.

The goals started flowing in the 2nd, as Aidan Curran (2:17) and Kevin O'Keefe (9:24) each notched their third scores of the season. Then Olivieri made it 5-0 with tallies at 12:00 and 14:31.

Five more found their way through in the 3rd, with Ryan Hadland (0:41), Olivieri (3:50), Juraj Elias (5:16), Olivieri (6:20), and Ike Keller (13:38).

Harrison Chesney recorded 15 stops to secure the first UNE shutout in conference postseason history (19 games).

More to follow...