WESTFIELD, Mass. – The Johnson & Wales (RI) University men's hockey team opened the season with a 3-2 loss at Westfield State University Friday night in non-conference action at the Western Mass Invitational at Amelia Park Arena.

Juniors Conner Lindsoe and Carter Elrod found the back of the net for the Wildcat (0-0-1), who also received a pair of apples from classmate Maxime Dumas. JWU outshot the Owls 46-33 and saw sophomore netminder Jacob Perrin turn aside 30 shots.

The Wildcats scored the only goal of the opening period at 19:00 when Elrod netted his third collegiate goal with assists going to Dumas and freshman Cam Martin. They doubled their lead 28 seconds into the second on Lindsoe's marker from junior Brendan Shandley and Dumas.

Westfield State struck for a pair of goals 1:08 apart late in the third before scoring the GWG 2:56 into the third.