Suffolk had one year left in the New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) before transitioning back to the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC), as part of a department-wide shift in 2020-21, and the Rams wanted to make the most of it.
The 40th season of blue-and-gold proved to be difficult as six of the opponents on the 2019-20 calendar appeared on the USCHOL Preseason Division III poll. Those predictions proved true as Suffolk would skate against half a dozen ranked foes over the course of the year, five in conference contests.
It was not long until the first battle between the Rams and a top dog as Suffolk trekked to No. 6 Hobart the second weekend of November. A 7-4 slip up to the Statesmen foreshadowed a tough get-go, as the squad dropped four of its next five to hold a 2-6 mark after the first month of play.
One of those victories will go down in the history books though as Suffolk downed Endicott for the first-time in program history by a 4-3 margin in Beverly, Massachusetts, November 26, 2019.
Momentum from that win helped the Rams in December pick up another pair of triumphs to enter the semester break 4-7-1.
The second half was the toughest for a rookie heavy roster, which included eight every day starters and two netmindersp; Nathan Pickett and Cal Wilcox. With Pickett out due to injury, the backbone of the defense landed on Wilcox’s gloves and stick.
Even with stand-on-his head performances from Wilcox, the blue-and-gold managed to just tact on two more wins over January and February to fall out of playoff contention and end the year 6-17-2 overall and 2-14-2 in league play.
THROUGH THE LENS
For the second straight season, Suffolk skated in honor of those who have and are serving the armed forces with a Military Appreciation Game January 24. T
In the contest, the Rams bested Johnson & Wales, 6-2, in front of a standing-room only crowd at Emmons Horrigan O’Neil Memorial Rink.
Suffolk is undefeated when donning its cameo jerseys with the four-goal victory over the Wildcats this season keeping the record unblemished as the Rams downed Castleton, 4-1, a year ago in the same sweaters.
ACADEMIC ACCOLADES
Suffolk men’s hockey had nine student athletes recognized for their academic efforts, earning a spot on the New England Hockey Conference’s (NEHC) 2019-20 All-Academic Team.
To be eligible for all-academic consideration, a student-athlete must carry a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA and have completed one full-year at their current institution.
Chris Glionna’s Rams, who skated in the NEHC for the second and final season, combined for a team GPA of 3.27.
Of the nine players who were acknowledged by the league for their academic achievements there was five sophomores Joe Feeney, John Garrity, Shawn Montgomery, Billy Roche and Nick Wardstrom, with a pair of juniors and seniors, respectively, in Matt Bucher and Jack Kelly and Phil Kresuer and Chris Olsson.
Kelly Collects J. Them Lawler Award
Junior Jack Kelly earned a prestigious honor, the J. Thom Lawler Award, which is presented by the Eastern Massachusetts Hockey Officials Association (EMHOA) in memory of the late J. Thom Lawler, former head coach and athletic director at Merrimack College honoring a Massachusetts/New England player from Division III for their commitment to their program, university and community.
Kelly is the second Rams’ player to win the award over the last decade, joining Tim Benedetto, who took home the recognition in 2015.
The Lawler Award is one of the most prestigious in college hockey. To have Jack win this award and our program associated with an award that honors Mr. Lawler is amazing -- head coach Chris Glionna
SENIOR SALUTE
Prior to puck-drop February 8 against UMass Boston, Suffolk men’s hockey honored the playing careers of its four graduating players Brian Brooks, Phil Kreuser, David Lappin and Chris Olsson.
