Hockey Upsets Nichols, 5-2

HARRISVILLE, R.I. – In a battle between the first and second place teams in ECAC Northeast, Suffolk surprised Nichols, 5-2, Saturday night at Levy Rink. 

Suffolk, who snapped a three-game skid, improved to 9-4-2 on the season and 5-1-2 in league action. The Rams handed Nichols its first conference loss of the year as the Bison dipped to 6-1-0 against conference foes and 11-5 on the year. 

Justin Selep scored 1:46 into the game and Shayne Bailey added a tally at 4:40 in the first frame to put Suffolk out in front 2-0 and the Rams never looked back. Nichols' Chris Deming's goal at 16:46 of the second stanza was an attempt to fuel a comeback, but Selep tacked on his 11th goal of the season 55 seconds after Deming's marker to keep the two-goal margin in the Rams' favor, 3-1. 

The Bison held a 34-19 edge in shots, including a 28-12 advantage over the final 40 minutes, but Brandon Smolarek turned aside 32 shots, including 15 in the third period, to improve to 8-2-2 between the pipes. 

Selep scored two goals, his third multi-goal game of the year, and Zack Capozza added one goal and an assist to the Rams' offense. 

Tyler Beasley and sophomore Chris Deming scored for the Bison. In net, Alex Larson allowed four goals on 18 shots. 

Suffolk returns to action Thursday, Jan. 21 when the Rams visit UMass Dartmouth at 7:30 p.m.