WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - The Cougars were defeated 1-5 by No. 3 Wilkes (18-8-0, 15-5-0). After closing the regular season with key wins, Chatham could not carry that momentum into the postseason. 

The Colonels were first to the board at the 8:07 mark. The Cougars had a power play to even the score, but Wilkes killed the penalty and scored shortly after. Chatham led the shot count 9-7 but trailed 2-0 entering the second. 

Wilkes added another goal at the 2:51 mark of the period. Through nearly two periods it seemed the Cougars were going to be shutout. Then, sophomore Bekk McClaine scored off assists from second-year forwards Nick Cyprian and Caden Smith. Wilkes rode a two-goal advantage (3-1) into the final period. 

Seven minutes into the third, the Colonels scored their fourth goal. With three minutes remaining, Chatham emptied the net in favor of an extra skater. The Cougars had six shots with the man advantage, but Wilkes scored an empty net goal to close the game. 

The Purple and Grey led with 32 shots on goal. They went 0-for-2 on the power play while the Colonels went 0-for-1. McClaine's score was his fifth this season, bringing his point total to 17. 

Chatham ends the year with an 11-15-0 overall record and an 8-12-0 conference record. Cyprian finished ninth in the conference with 17 assists.