No. 5 Norwich Slips Past Men’s Hockey, 1-0, in NEHC Quarterfinals

NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The seventh-seeded Suffolk men's hockey team kept second-seed Norwich on its toes all night, but a late goal by the nationally ranked Cadets proved to be the difference for the hosts in the 1-0 NEHC Quarterfinals contest Saturday night at Kreitzberg Arena.  

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 0 | No. 5 Norwich 1
RECORDS: Suffolk (8-17-0) | No. 5 Norwich (19-4-3)  

HOW IT HAPPENED
The nationally ranked Cadets tested Michael Levine all night as they dominated the Rams' zone. The senior netminder had a game, but was caught off guard with less than two minutes to play when defender LJ Fellows deflected a point shot. The puck bounced at just the right spot, landing on Jordan Hall of Norwich's stick. Hall wasted no time flipping the puck over Levine's stick and into the back of the net to break open the scoreless postseason tilt with 1:49 remaining in regulation.  

Norwich commanded action for the next minute, which made Levine stay between the pipes. Chris Glionna pulled the goaltender with 20 seconds left. With the extra skater Suffolk managed to get off one shot, but it was off the mark and a late penalty by the Rams sent Levine back in net and secured the victory for the Cadets.   

NETMINDER NOTES

• Levine finished the night, and his career, with a 31-save effort. The senior goaltender limited one of the most powerful offenses in the conference and country to just one goal. 
• Tom Aubrun kept the Rams off the scoreboard all night with 13 stops.  

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• Hall was responsible for the only goal on the night. The game-winner was assisted by Matt Burhcill and Gabriel Chicoine. 
• Norwich held the advantages in shots (32-13) and face-offs (40-25). 
• The Cadets were not whistled for a single penalty, while the Rams killed off all three of theirs.   

NOTEWORTHY

• Suffolk competed in the NEHC postseason for the first time in program history.  

POST-GAME PIC