Men’s Hockey Pair Garners CCC Weekly Accolades

BOSTON – After a 5-2 season opening win over Assumption, Suffolk men's hockey's Matt Bucher and Michael Levine have been recognized by the conference as the rookie and junior collected Commonwealth Coast Conference recognition. Bucher took home CCC Rookie of the Week, while Levine grabbed CCC Goaltender of the Week, the league office announced Monday afternoon. 

Levine, who hails from Clarendon, Illinois, became the first blue-and-gold netminder to be named the CCC's best goalie over a seven day stretch after a 37-save effort versus the Greyhounds. The junior was the Rams' backbone in the squad's seventh straight season opening win. 

Bucher, meanwhile, made the most of his collegiate debut with a two-goal outing. The Cromwell, Connecticut product, put Suffolk on the scoreboard just 3:47 into the action with an unassisted glove side sniper shot. His second goal came in a flurry of Suffolk scores in the second. The xxx-foot-xxx forward wrapped around Assumption's posts and tucked the puck past the goal line. He became the first Ram to notch a multi-goal game since Jackson Tucker potted a hat trick in a 3-0 win versus Becker January 21, 2017. The weekly accolade is not just a first for Bucher, but marks the first rookie recognition by the CCC. 

Suffolk's 5-2 win over Assumption marked the second straight season the Rams potted five pucks on opening day, while the three-goal margin of defeat is the largest season opening win since an identical edge to lift the lid on 2012-13. 

The Rams are back in action this weekend as it raises the curtain on CCC action with a home-and-home series with Nichols. Suffolk will first entertain the Bison at Emmons Horrigan O'Neil Memorial Rink Friday, Nov. 3 before traveling to Levy Rink in Harrisville, Rhode Island, Saturday, Nov. 4.