HARTFORD, Conn. – Three first period goals propelled No. 2 Trinity over Suffolk men's hockey, 7-0, on Saturday evening at the Koeppel Community Sports Center.
THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 0 | No. 2 Trinity 7
RECORDS: Suffolk (4-8-1) | No. 2 Trinity (9-1-0)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Trinity got off the mark quickly with the first goal coming within two minutes from puck drop. A one-time effort from the blue line, rebounded in front, which was poked home by Cole Poliziani for 1-0. The Bantams grabbed a second shortly after. Trinity won the puck up the ice, leading to a one-on-one for Devin Moore firing his shot past Cal Wilcox for a two-goal edge four minutes into the clash.
Trinity continued to pressure the Rams forcing Wilcox to reach double-digit saves within the first eight minutes. However, the Bantams would put away theird third just before the 10-minute mark. Quick passing would leave Riley Prattson in the slot to wrist the puck into the net to push the host's lead to 3-0.
Despite a 20-save first period effort from Wilcox, Trinity took a three-goal lead into the first intermission.
The Rams burst out of the break, forcing three successive saves, with Griffin Clark, Max Rand, and Billy Roche testing Trinity netminder Jonah Capriotti.
With momentum on its side, Trinity had a great opportunity to add to its advantage with Suffolk on a 5-on-3 penalty kill with 11:32 remaining in the middle period. The Rams were able to hold the Bantams, though, and preserve the 3-0 score line.
Suffolk would have a powerplay opportunity of its own later in the stanza, but could not capitalize and the score stood at 3-0 after two periods.
To open the finale frame, Lucas Michaud poked in two quick goals to push the hosts cushion to five. Michaud's first came in the crease on a rebound, followed by a shorthanded tap in on the weakside.
Trinity pushed the score to 6-0 after Dylan Healy tapped in a rebound on a power play opportunity at the midway point and a goal in the final two minutes by Taggart Corriveau made it the 7-0 final score.
NETMINDER NOTES
- Wilcoxheld off 42 shots on the evening.
- Capriotti made 22 saves for the Bantams during the shutout.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- Suffolk closed the night with 22 shots, trailing Trinity's 49.
- Trinity controlled the faceoffs, holding a 45-25 edge over the Rams
- Clark, Brian Brooks, and Henry Bishop each put three shots on goal, leading the Rams.
NOTEWORTHY
- Suffolk and Trinity met for the 13th time overall on Saturday, first since 1991-92.
POST-GAME PIC
COMING UP
Suffolk's attention is back on its conference calendar the remaining 12 regular-season games on the docket are conference clashes. The Rams are back in action and in Boston Friday, Jan. 10 when they open a five-game homestand against No. 4 Norwich at 7 p.m.