The men’s hockey team recorded its first league victory last Saturday with the dismantling of UMASS-Boston 4-1. Co-captain Ryan Hendrickson ’07 led the Cards with one goal and an assist on the eventual game-winner to defenseman Dallas Bossort ’09.

Goalie Mike Palladino ’09 made 22 saves in the game, and David Layne ’10 added an assist to increase his team-leading point total to ten (seven goals and three assists). Wesleyan out-shot its opponent 59-23 and controlled the game from the opening whistle.

The Cards first got on the board early in the second period when Woody Redpath ’10 registered his second collegiate goal off assists from Taylor Evans ’07 and Ed Klein ’08.

Less than two minutes later, Bossort’s goal increased the Wesleyan lead to 2-0 at the end of the second period. Will Bennett ’07 scored his first goal of the season at the beginning of the third period to make the lead 3-0 just minutes before UMASS-Boston scored its lone goal.

Later in the final period, Hendrickson scored his first of the year as well with assists from Kevin Armstrong ’08 and Jeff Beck ’10.

“We’re very excited about our team’s chances this season,” Bennett said following the team’s victory Saturday evening. “We will continue to get better and better and work towards our goal of a home playoff game. We definitely have the talent this season, and are hyped for a long playoff run.”

In Friday night’s game against Babson, the Cards were on the losing end of the stick, falling 4-1. After falling behind 1-0 just 49 seconds into the game, David Layne ’10 scored a power play goal off an assist from Klein, leveling the game at one early in the second period.

Unfortunately for the Cards, their defense was unable to contain a Babson attack that scored three goals in the following 15 minutes. Wesleyan fell 4-1 but quickly refocused on the next night’s game.

“It was obviously very disappointing to lose like that Friday night,” Bennett said. “It was great to see the team regroup like we did, though, and come out strong the following night to get the ”W.“

After six games, the Cards have two players in the top ten in the league in scoring. Layne is currently third in the league with 10 points, while Bennett is sixth with 9 (second in the league in assists with 8).

Layne is also tied for first in the NESCAC with 7 goals, and is on top in power play goals and leads all freshmen in scoring.

The next game for the Cardinals is this Friday night in a non-league encounter with Salve Regina at Spurrier-Snyder Rink at 7 p.m.