Men’s Hockey Takes Win Streak into Home-and-Home with UNE

BOSTON – Riding a four-game win streak and fresh off the 2017 Manchester PAL/Stovepipe Tournament title, the Suffolk men's hockey team sets its sights on a home-and-home series with the University of New England this weekend. The Rams will first trek to Biddeford, Maine, Friday, Dec. 1 for a 7 p.m. matchup, before hosting the Nor'Easters Saturday, Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. at Emmons Horrigan O'Neil Memorial Rink.

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LAST TIME OUT
Joseph Mortillaro found the back of the net with 13 seconds remaining in regulation to snap a two-all tie and propel the Suffolk men's hockey team past SNHU, 3-2, in the championship game of the 2017 Manchester PAL/Stovepipe Tournament Sunday afternoon.

MORE READING: Men's Hockey Captures 2017 Manchester PAL/Stovepipe Tournament in Final Seconds

RAMS RUNDOWN
Suffolk has improved to 5-4 on the season and 2-4 against CCC contests since rattling off four consecutive victories including a series sweep over Western New England and the 2017 Manchester PAL/Stovepipe Tournament Championship with 3-2 wins over both UMass Dartmouth and SNHU. 

Over the past four outings, Suffolk has potted 13 goals, outscoring its opponents, 13-5. Brian Brooks is one of the main ingredients of the Rams recent success as the sophomore, who is currently on a five-game point streak, leads the way with seven points on four goals and three handouts. Freshmen Matt Bucher and Joseph Mortillaro are second on the squad with six points apiece. Bucher had three markers and three handouts, while Mortillaro has scored a team-high five goals and dished out one assist. 

In net, Michael Levine has been stand up as of late. Over the weekend, the junior stopped a career-best 48 shots versus the Corsairs and 28 in the championship against the Penmen to take home tournament MVP honors. Levine heads into the weekend with 222 saves to his credit for a .949 save percentage and a 1.90 goals-against average.

NOR'EASTER NOTES
Similar to Suffolk, UNE takes a win streak into the weekend as the Nor'Easters have combined victories together, defeating Bowdoin, 3-2, and Southern Maine, 7-2, to improve to 4-3-1 on the season. In conference play, UNE is 2-3-1 with the Nor'Easters falling to Salve Regina in both games in its last league series. 

A trio of skaters have recorded double digit points. Brady Fleurent's 14 points on three goals and 11 handouts lead the way with Tyler Seltenreich's team-leading seven goals and five helpers. Ryan Bloom rounds out the top three scorers with three markers and eight set-ups. 

Rookie Ben Churchfield has seen the most time in net for the Nor'easters. In five games, Churchfield has put together a .888 save percentage and a 3.31 goals-against average for a 3-1-1 record. Payton Porter picked up one win in his two appearances. The sophomore boasts a .759 save percentage and a 5.63 goals-against average. Tate Sproxton has defended the ice for a pair of games as well for UNE. The sophomore has put together a .789 save percentage and a 4.13 goals-against average.

INSIDE THE SERIES
The series between Suffolk and UNE is fairly new, dating back to 2011-12, with the Nor'easters picking up the first three meetings and the Rams taking down UNE for the first time in the team's last meeting, Feb. 11, 2017, 4-3.

EYES ON THE GAME

STREAKING
Three Rams take a multi-point streak into the weekend paced by Brian Brooks five-game streak, which features seven points on four goals and three assists. Joseph Mortillaro is on a three-game stretch when the freshman recorded a point, producing five goals through three straight games. Jack Kelly has recorded an assist in back-to-back games to ride a two-game streak into Friday night.  

GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK
For the third time this season and second time in as many weeks, Suffolk men's hockey's Michael Levine has been named Commonwealth Coast Conference's Goaltender of the Week, the league announced Monday. The recognition comes after a 2-0, 76-save week for Levine at the Manchester PAL/Stovepipe Tournament. 

MORE READING: Levine Tabbed CCC Goaltender of the Week, Again

WHAT'S TO COME
Suffolk wraps up the 2017 portion of its schedule Dec. 8-9 with a home-and-home with its Boston foe Wentworth. The Rams make the short trip to the Leopards home Friday, Dec. 8 for a 7:00 p.m. clash before hosting Wentworth Saturday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m.