Ranked Battles at #8/11 UMass Boston, #14/15 Babson Ahead for Men’s Hockey

FRIDAY, JAN. 25 // 7:00 PM  EDWARD T. BARRY RINK BOSTON, MASS.
LIVE STATS // VIDEO // EYES ON THE GAME SERIES RECORD // SUFFOLK TRAILS, 2-14-0 LAST MEETING // NOV. 17, 2018, L, 6-3 LAST SUFFOLK WIN // DEC. 12, 2009, W, 2-1 STREAK // L2

SATURDAY, JAN. 26 // 4:00 PM  BABSON SKATING CENTER BABSON PARK, MASS.
LIVE STATS // VIDEO // EYES ON THE GAME SERIES RECORD // SUFFOLK TRAILS, 0-3-0 LAST MEETING // NOV. 16, 2018, L, 2-1 LAST SUFFOLK WIN // NEVER STREAK // L3

BOSTON – The Suffolk men's hockey team looks to get back on the right track this weekend, but will have to go through top competition in No. 8/11 UMass Boston and No. 14/15 Babson. The Rams will first meet the Beacons Friday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m., before visiting the Beavers the next night, Saturday, Jan. 26 at 4 p.m.

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LAST TIME OUT
Three unanswered goals in the middle period from No. 12/13 New England College proved to be the difference as the Suffolk men's hockey team could not comeback against the Pilgrims and fell, 6-3, Saturday night at Emmons Horrigan O'Neil Memorial Rink.



MORE READING: No. 12/13 NEC Spoils Men's Hockey's Senior Night, 6-3

RAMS RUNDOWN
Suffolk's pair of conference setbacks moved the Rams to 7-11-0 on the season and 4-8-0 against conference competition, good for seventh place in the league standings. 

The Rams' offense is propelled by senior Mikhail Bryan and sophomore Jack Kelly. Bryan, sits atop the team in points with 22, off a team-high 15 assists to go along with seven goals. Kelly, meanwhile, is the biggest scoring threat with a squad-best 10 markers and seven helpers for 17 points, good for second on the squad.

Michael Levine has handled the bulk of action in net. The senior netminder boasts a .903 save percentage and a 3.18 GAA.

BEACONS BREAKDOWN
UMass Boston slipped for just the second time in conference competition Saturday night as Norwich shutout the Beacons, 2-0. After the setback, Boston enters the week with a 14-5 overall record and a 10-2 league ledger, good for first in the conference. 

UMass' 71-goal offense is one of the most powerful in the NEHC, averaging 3.74 goals per game. Nolan Redler leads the way with 10 for a team-best 21 points with 11 helpers on his stat line as well. Daniel Nachbaur is on the verge of eclipsing 20 points with eight goals and 10 assists, while Nick Albano sits third on the squad behind a team-best 13 set-ups and four goals for 17 points. 

Bailey MacBurnie has played every game except two in between the pipes for the Beacons. The junior has given up just 27 goals for a conference-best 1.60 GAA and a .935 save percentage.

WE MEET AGAIN
Suffolk men's hockey made a late comeback, but then-No. 9/10 UMass Boston used an insurance goal and an empty netter to down the Rams, 6-3, Nov. 17, at Emmons Horrigan O'Neil Memorial Rink.

MORE READING: No. 9/10 UMass Boston Bests Men's Hockey, 6-3

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk's and UMass Boston's series began in 1980 and the foes will meet for the 17th time overall Friday night.
• The Rams trail the all-time series with the Beacons 2-14-0 and look for their first win over UMass since Dec. 30, 2009, a 2-1 decision.
• Suffolk's only wins versus Boston have come under Chris Glionna's guidance.

EYES ON THE MATCH

BEAVERS BITS
Babson heads into the weekend 13-4-2 overall and 8-2-2 in conference contests after defeating Castleton 7-2 Saturday. 

Nick Rosa paces the Beavers' 69-goal offense with 25 points on 12 strikes and 13 helpers. Mike Egan is also a consistent contributor with 21 points on 10 markers and 11 set-ups. Matt Wiesner rounds out the top three scorers for Babson with 12 goals and six helpers for 18 points.

The senior duo of Bryan Botcher and Matt Pompa has shared the netminding responsibilities. Botcher has 10 games under his belt with a .927 save percentage and a 2.06 GAA to his credit. Pompa, meanwhile, has played nine games. Over his action, the senior has built a .911 save percentage and 2.97 GAA.

WE MEET AGAIN
No. 14/15 Babson used a pair of third period goals to setback Suffolk men's hockey, 2-1, Nov. 16, 2018 in New England Hockey Conference action at Emmons Horrigan O'Neil Memorial Rink.

MORE READING: Men's Hockey Slips to No. 14/15 Babson

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk and Babson will meet for the fourth time overall.
• The Rams have yet to take down the Beavers, trailing the series, 0-3-0.
• Babson has outscored Suffolk, 9-5, in the three meetings.

EYES ON THE GAME

COMING UP
Suffolk concludes its home slate Feb. 1-2 when it entertains No. 13/10 Norwich and Hobart. The Rams and Cadets clash Friday, Feb. 1 with the Statesmen stopping by Saturday, Feb. 2 for Military Appreciation Night. Both conference clashes are scheduled for 7 p.m. puck drops.