Men’s Hockey Opens NEHC Play at Skidmore, No. 6 Hobart

FRIDAY, NOV. 8 // 7:00 PM  SARATOGA CITY RINK // SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. LIVE STATS // VIDEO
EYES ON THE GAME SERIES RECORD // SUFFOLK TRAILS, 0-3 LAST MEETING // FEB. 8, 2019, L, 6-1 LAST SUFFOLK WIN // NEVER STREAK // L3

SATURDAY, NOV. 9 // 4:00 PM  THE COOLER // GENEVA, N.Y. LIVE STATS // VIDEO // AUDIO
EYES ON THE GAME SERIES RECORD // TIED, 1-1-0 LAST MEETING // FEB. 9, 2019, L, 5-3 LAST SUFFOLK WIN // DEC. 7, 2018, W, 5-2 STREAK // L1

BOSTON – Coming off its 3-2 season opening win at Franklin Pierce, Suffolk men's hockey turns its attention right to New England Hockey Conference action as the Rams venture to upstate New York for a pair of conference clashes at Skidmore and No. 6 Hobart. The weekend opens against the Thoroughbreds Friday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m., before the blue-and-gold battle the Statesmen Saturday, Nov. 9 at 4 p.m.

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LAST TIME OUT
Suffolk men's hockey pulled the curtain back on its campaign in the win column for the ninth straight season as the third period strike from Jack Kelly pushed the Rams past Franklin Pierce, 3-2, Friday night at Jason Ritchie Ice Arena.  

MORE READING: Men's Hockey Lifts Lid on 40th Season with 3-2 Win at Franklin Pierce 

RAMS REVIEW
Suffolk sits 1-0-0 after capturing its season debut, a 3-2 victory at Franklin Pierce November 1, for the ninth consecutive campaign.  

The Rams' three pucks that were potted on night one came off three difference sticks in Jack Kelly, Joseph Mortillaro and Phil Kreuser. Kelly and Kreuser each set-up a score as well to lead the team with two points apiece along with Miller Rubin, who owns a team-best two helpers.  

Nathan Pickett stood on his head in his collegiate debut as the netminder turned aside 48 shots in the season opener to backstop Suffolk to victory. 

NEHC OPENERS

• Suffolk is 0-1-0 in its first NEHC of the year in program history after falling in its league debut a year ago, 4-0, at New England College November 9, 2019. 
• The Rams and Skidmore will play in the blue-and-gold's first league game of the season for the first time.  

THOROUGHBREDS THOUGHTS
Skidmore lifted the lid on its 2019-20 slate with a 2-1 decision at Cortland last Saturday.  

The Thoroughbreds scoring came from Matt Buzyka and Matt Wolf with four skaters recording assists in Brandon Borges, John Litscher, Austin Rook and Reid Russell. 

Brandon Kasel defended the pipes for Skidmore on night and put together a 24-save effort.  

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk looks for its first-ever win over Skidmore as the Rams trail the all-time series, which began in 2008, 0-3-0.  

EYES ON THE GAME
 

STATESMEN STATEMENT
Hobart, who ranks sixth in the latest USCHO Coaches' Poll, went unbeaten its opening weekend, home-and-home with Elmira, winning the first, 5-2, and tying the second, 1-1, to head into the weekend 1-0-1 overall. Prior to hosting Suffolk Saturday, the Statemen welcome Johnson & Wales Friday night for their league debut.  

Dan Sliney has showed a knack for scoring early with a pair of goals through two outings. Alec Robitalille, meanwhile, sits atop the team in points with three behind one strike and pair of setups. PA Martineau has two helpers on his state line as well.  

Joe Halstrom played both contests against Elmira. He sports a 1.44 GAA and .945 save percentage in two appearances.  

INSIDE THE SERIES

• The Suffolk, Hobart series began a year ago and sits tied at 1-1-0 after the conference foes split the regular-season meetings. 
• The Rams took the meeting in the Bay State, 5-2, while the Statemen's won the Empire State dual, 5-3.  

EYES ON THE GAME
  

ROOKIE RECOGNITION
Nathan Pickett of the Suffolk men's hockey team garnered New England Hockey Conference Rookie of the Week status after defending the net for the Rams' in the season-opening win at Franklin Pierce. 

MORE READING: Pickett Picks Up NEHC Rookie of the Week

STILL GOT GAME?
Former Rams of the Suffolk men's ice hockey program, their families and friends are invited to the annual alumni game and reception Saturday, Nov. 16. 

MORE READING: Men's Hockey Alumni Game Set for November 16

WHAT'S TO COME?
Ram Nation will get its first glimpse at the 40th edition of Suffolk men's hockey next Friday, Nov. 15 when it entertains Anna Maria at Emmons Horrigan O'Neil Memorial Rink in a non-conference dual at 7 p.m.