With his college career coming to a close, senior Kyle Cook (Chino Hills, CA) seems to be saving his best for last. Cook scored a hat trick and added an assist as the Rams (7-13-2, 6-6-2 ECAC) were victorious 5-2 Tuesday evening over the Plymouth State Panthers (9-11-2, 5-7-2 ECAC)in Waterville Valley, NH in an ECAC Northeast Hockey matchup.
Cook who was named ECAC Northeast Player of the Week last week for his efforts in both Suffolk victories has now added 5 goals and 4 assists in the Rams last three games. Suffolk who is battling Plymouth State in the standings for a playoff spot in the ECAC Tournament seem to be playing their best hockey at the right time as they have now won their last three contests.
The Panthers jumped out to a quick start scoring twice in the first period, but Rams' sophomore goaltender Jeff Rose (Collinsville, CT) turned away all 14 shots he faced in the final two periods and Suffolk scored five unanswered goals for the win.
Sophomore Bryan Horrigan (Brookfield, WI) got the scoring started as he put home his 7th goal of the year 6:21 into the game for Plymouth State. The Panthers scored again on a power play 90 seconds later as sophomore Seth McQuade converted on passes from Horrigan and Jake Curtin.
Cook got the Rams on the board 4:45 into the second period when he scored off a pass from junior Pat Welch (Dorchester, MA). The Rams tied the game at 2-2 on a power play goal by Cook ten minutes later as senior John Rocchio (East Greenwich, RI) set him up.
Junior Mike Mondello (Revere, MA) put home the game winner at 4:52 into the 3rd period on a Rams' power-play off of feeds from Rocchio and junior Jeff Spencer (Brentwood, NH) for his 4th goal on the year. With a little more than five minutes remaining Cook knocked home his third goal of the game for the hat trick and his team leading 15th goal of the year on a pass from junior Nick Davis (Pittsburgh, PA). Pat Welch sealed the Rams victory with an empty net goal.
Things don't get much easier for the Rams as they now have to face the top two teams in the Conference, Nichols College and Curry College. The Rams will host Nichols on Saturday and travel to Curry on Tuesday evening before their final regular season game at Southern New Hampshire.
Saturday's game against Nichols will start at 3:15 pm at Walter Brown Arena. Prior to the game the Suffolk Hockey Program is hosting their annual Alumni Game beginning at 1:00 pm. There will be a family skate the following hour.