NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – Playing its first game in five weeks, the Bentley hockey team saw its five-game winning streak snapped at Merrimack on Saturday night, 4-1 in a non-conference matchup.

The Falcons soared into the holiday break on a five-game winning streak that lifted them into first place in the Atlantic Hockey standings. But playing their first game in five weeks, Merrimack came away with the victory on the night.

Falcons sophomore goalie Nicholas Grabko (Channahon, Ill.) made a career high 46 saves against 50 shots faced. He made 20 saves in the first period alone.

Merrimack scored three of its goals in the first period, but after Mark Hillier scored with 22 seconds left in the period, Grabko shut the door until the third period.

Bentley's goal came from grad student defenseman Matt Lombardozzi (Leominster, Mass.), on the power play, at 18:25 of the 3^rd period. The goal was his 5^th of the season, all on the power play.

Drew Bavaro (Bradenton, Fla.) and Michael Zuffante (Bloomingdale, Ill.) had the assists. Bavaro fed a pass to Zuffante near the left face-off circle, who then fed a pass back to Lombardozzi on the blue line. Lombardozzi then fired a slap shot on net that got past Merrimack's goalie Hugo Olias.

The Falcons, whose record fell to 10-8 on the season, are next scheduled to play next weekend at home against Sacred Heart.