Hockey Lifts the Lid on ECAC Northeast Wednesday vs. Salve Regina

BOSTON – After a thrilling overtime season opening victory, the Suffolk ice hockey team opens ECAC Northeast action this weekend when it entertains Salve Regina at Emmons Horrigan O'Neil Memorial Rink Wednesday at 7:40 p.m. 

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THE FIRST LINE

• Last weekend, Suffolk welcomed the new year with a thrilling overtime victory over Assumption. With the win, the Rams move to 7-9-1 in season openers, including a 6-5-1 mark at home, dating back to the 1999-2000 season. 
   
• Suffolk met Assumption in its season opener for the sixth straight season with the Rams coming out on the winning side for five consecutive campaigns. 
   
• Coming into action this weekend, Suffolk (1-0-0) is one of just two teams in the ECAC Northeast to remain undefeated to start the season. The Rams are joined in perfection by  Johnson & Wales (1-0-0).

LAST TIME OUT
Though the Greyhounds of Assumption rallied from down 3-2 and scored with 1:01 remaining in regulation, the Suffolk hockey team found itself on the right end of a wild, 4-3 overtime thriller as senior Justin Selep put in the game-winner to lift the Rams to victory in their season opener at Emmons Horrigan O'Neil Memorial Rink Saturday night. 

Selep sniped in his 12th collegiate goal and dished out an assist on the first goal of the night netted by Mike Cherpak, who returned the favor on the game-winner, the second of Selep's career. Justin Holliday and Shayne Bailey, meanwhile, made a fine showing to start their campaigns in blue-and-gold. Freshman Holliay, notched two points n one score and one assist with sophomore Bailey tailing a helper. Junior Stanton Turner added two points on one goal and one assist and junior Simone Leahy and freshman Nick Mosher chipped in one handout each to the cause. 

Senior netminder Brandon Smolarek picked up his 22nd career win in 27 starts, playing admirably between the pipes. Smolarek saw 38 shots, turning aside 35 of them to secure the victory. 

MORE READING: Hockey Escapes from Assumption in Overtime Season Opener, 4-3

SOMETHING 'BOUT THE SEAHAWKS
With two contests under its belt, Salve Regina comes to Boston 0-2-0 this season with both setbacks coming on the road. The Seahawks fell at Manhattanville, 5-4, in overtime, before beating beat at Neumann, 3-1. 

Sophomore Pat Thompson has been the scoring force for the Seahawks, racking up two goals in the first few games. Marc Biggs pitched in one tally and one assist while Peter Gintoli and Brandon Yee add to the attack, with the senior and sophomore scoring one goal each. Lucas Sousa adds a team-best two assists. 

Alexander Devine and Blake Wojtala have each played one game for Salve Regina in net. Devine made 35 stops while allowing five goals, while Wojtala posted 33 stops and let in three scores. 

THE SERIES
Dating back to 1999, Suffolk and Salve Regina have take the ice 22 times with the series deadlocked at 10-10-2. The Rams and Sea Hawks have split its two-game series in each of the last two seasons with Salve Regina winning the last meeting, 7-3, February 5, 2015. 

UP NEXT
Suffolk ventures out on the road for the first time this season Saturday when the Rams visit Endicott in ECAC Northeast action. Puck drop is scheduled for 1 p.m.