PORTSMOUTH, R.I. – The Salve Regina University men's ice hockey team falls 4-1 to Johnson & Wales University in the regular season finale at the Portsmouth Abbey Sunday evening.

The teams were scoreless until the waning moments of the first period when the Wildcats converted on the power-play with 45 seconds to go. Ben Brouillard (Somerset, Mass.) punched in a shot of a rebound to give Johnson & Wales the lead and momentum heading into the break.

That momentum carried over into the second frame, as the Wildcats wasted no time getting on the board again. The Seahawks had trouble moving the puck out of their own zone and turned it over at the blue line. Michael Mazzotta (Mars, Pa.) walked in with the puck and fired it over the glove of Salve Regina netminder Alexander Devine (Hampton, N.H.).

The Wildcats scored again at 15:20 to bookend the second period and take a 3-0 lead into intermission. Fran Mackin (Philadelphia, Pa.) threw a shot towards the net off a faceoff that was tipped in by Stefan Brucato (Lake Elsinore, Calif.).

Despite outshooting Johnson & Wales through two periods the Seahawks trailed on the scoreboard. The Seahawks continued to be frustrated in the attacking zone by the Wildcats defense. The Seahawks had the majority of their shots blocked by the Wildcats, and what shots did reach the net were easily gloved by Joey Ballmer (Kalamazoo, Mich.) who never looked uncomfortable all night in his crease.

The Seahawks had a chance to get on the board right off the bat in the third period. Alex Pompeo (Hingham, Mass.) took the puck off the draw and raced down the middle of the ice towards the net. His backhand shot was saved by Baller and the rebound hopped over the net and away from the goal.

Just as Salve Regina began to build a little momentum the Wildcats took it away. As they had all night at crucial points the Wildcats came up with timely goals. This time Alex Porrier (Rutland, Vt.) zigzagged his way in the attacking zone and slipped a shot five-hole past Frankie McCormick (Peabody, Mass.) who had replaced Devine to start the period.

The Seahawks still had time to mount a comeback, with the Wildcats scoring so early in the third period. However it wasn't until 12:02 of the third that the Seahawks got their spark.

John Scorcia (Hudson, Fla.) took a puck on a breakaway shorthanded and got slashed on his way to the net resulting in a penalty shot. The senior captain slowly weaved his way to the net and froze Ballmer with a series of dekes before lifting a shot over the goaltenders shoulders to get the Seahawks on the board.

The Seahawks were energized by the play and generated some of their best chances of the game but it wasn't enough and time ran out on the period.

The Seahawks outshot the Wildcats 49-23 but could not find quality chances in close, having to settle for deep shots from the point or wings. The Wildcats fore-check kept the Seahawks in check, not allowing them to move the puck quickly up and out of the zone to start the break, which is where Salve Regina is at its best.

The Wildcats finish the regular season 14-10-1 overall and 8-6-0 in the conference.  Johnson & Wales holds the three seed in the playoffs.

The Seahawks fall to 11-9-3 overall and 9-4-1 in the ECAC Northeast but have already wrapped up the second seed in the playoffs and will enjoy ten days off before hosting a semi-final match on March 4