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Branden Komm
Branden Komm

Komm, Gladiuk & Grieve Lead Bentley Past UConn, 3-0

STORRS, Conn. - Bentley scored on its first two power play chances of the night just 1:13 apart early in the third period on its way to a 3-0 road win over the University of Connecticut in Atlantic Hockey action Friday night. Senior netminder Branden Komm (Williamsville, N.Y./Northfield Mount Hermon) made 30 saves for the shutout.

Sophomore Andrew Gladiuk (White Rock, B.C./Nanaimo Clippers) and junior Alex Grieve (Calgary, Alberta/Westside Warriors) had the goals at 1:26 and 2:39 of the third period to turn a tenuous 1-0 Falcons lead to a solid 3-0 advantage.

Komm earns his fifth career shutout as the Falcons bounced back with a strong performance after last Friday's loss to AIC to even their Atlantic Hockey record at 2-2. The Huskies drop to 2-1 in conference play and have their four-game unbeaten streak snapped.

UConn had the advantage in the early going of the first period as they dominated possession and outshot Bentley, but the Falcons weathered the storm thanks to solid play by Komm and a little luck. UConn hit the post twice in the first period.

But it was Bentley that got the first goal off the stick of forward Michael Reardon (Norwood, Mass./South Shore Kings) for his second of the year at 6:04 of the opening period. Sophomore Derek Bacon (Calgary, Alberta/Okotoks Oilers) got off a shot that was saved by Huskies goalie Matt Grogan. As Grogan sprawled out in an attempt to grab the rebound, Reardon grabbed the puck, wheeled around and backhanded it in to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead.

Bentley outshot UConn 12-9 in the second period and maintained its 1-0 lead despite not producing any significant scoring chances. Komm though continued his stellar play throughout the period and Bentley went 2-2 on the penalty kill to hold its lead.

Early on in the third period the Falcons took advantage of their first power play of the night to go up 2-0 1:26 into the period. Freshman Max French (West Kelowna, B.C./West Kelowna Warriors) had the puck on the doorstep of the far post and fed a beautiful cross-ice pass to Gladiuk, who was waiting to slam it into the open net.

A UConn penalty 27 seconds after the Bentley goal set them up with another power play, and they took advantage as Grieve netted his seventh of the season. Defenseman Steve Weinstein (Los Angeles, Calif./Vernon Vipers) took a shot from the point that Grieve got his stick on and tipped in past Grogan for a 3-0 Falcons lead at 2:39.

The Falcons will go for two straight wins when they host rival Holy Cross Saturday afternoon at 4:10.