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Men’s Hockey Holds off UMass Dartmouth in Manchester PAL/Stovepipe Tournament Opener

The Suffolk men’s hockey team rallied for an opening round victory in the 2017 Manchester PAL Cup/Stovepipe Tournament hosted by Southern New Hampshire, as the Rams two-goal second period provided the difference in the 3-2 final Saturday at the Ice Den.

Men’s Hockey Holds off UMass Dartmouth in Manchester PAL/Stovepipe Tournament Opener
November 25, 2017
Box Score

HOOKSETT, N.H. – The Suffolk men's hockey team rallied for an opening round victory in the 2017 Manchester PAL Cup/Stovepipe Tournament hosted by Southern New Hampshire, as the Rams two-goal second period provided the difference in the 3-2 final Saturday at the Ice Den.

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 3, UMass Dartmouth 2
RECORDS: Suffolk (4-4-0) | UMass Dartmouth (3-4-1)

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Corsairs jumped ahead to start, when senior Mike Sones took feeds from senior Casey Shea and junior Kenny Tencza in the 18th minute of the first period, converting his team-leading eighth tally of the year. 

Midway through the second period, the Rams notched a shorthanded marker when Joseph Mortillaro leveled the score at one apiece. Just two minutes later, the freshman struck again for his second of the game, and third of the season, moving Suffolk in front 2-1. 

Suffolk added another for good measure with four minutes remaining in regulation when Brian Brooks logged his second point of the game, finishing off a primary assist from Matt Bucher. 

UMass Dartmouth had a late burst as Shea etched his name on the goal sheet with help from junior Jonathan Ruiz to mark the corsairs' second shorthanded goal of the season, but with only 10 ticks left on the clock to provide the late for the equalizer. 

KEEPING UP WITH THE KEEPERS

  • Michael Levine registered 48 saves in the full 60 minutes.
  • Drew Michals stopped 29 of the 32 shots he faced. 

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

  • Mortillaro and Brooks each finished with two-point nights. Mortillaro's came on two goals, while Brooks scored one and dished out one helper.
  • Bucher, LJ Fellow and Jack Kelly all garnered one assist in the Suffolk win.
  • The Rams allowed six powerplay chances to the Corsairs, but surrendered no goals, with UMass Dartmouth holding Suffolk scoreless on both of its man-advantage opportunities. 

NOTEWORTHY

  • Suffolk extended its win streak to three straight, marking a season best and most consecutive victories since stringing three together Jan. 16-23, 2016.
  • Levine put together a career-high 48-save effort. The 48 stops are the most by a netminder in blue-and-gold since Kevin Venturoso '17 stopped 52 shots in a 4-3 win over Tufts Jan. 8, 2014.
  • Mortillaro notched his second straight two-goal game.
  • Brooks extended his point streak to four consecutive contests. During the stretch, the sophomore has recorded six points on three goals and three assists.
  • Mortillaro produced his first collegiate shorthanded goal and is the second Ram to score on a penalty kill this season behind Connor Henry, who accomplished the feat in the season opener versus Assumption Oct. 28.
  • Suffolk improved to 4-9 dating back to the 1999 season versus UMass Dartmouth. 

COMING UP
Suffolk will vie for the 2017 Manchester PAL Cup/Stovepipe Tournament title Sunday, Nov. 26 at 4:40 p.m. versus tournament hosts SNHU.