Boston, Mass. - The Suffolk University Hockey team claimed their first-ever Cod Fish Bowl Tournament title Wednesday evening defeating host Umass-Boston, 2-1. The Rams, who have been competing in the holiday tournament for the fourth consecutive season take home the title in the tournament's 45th year.
Junior goalkeeper Jeff Rose (Collinsville, Ct.) was named Tournament MVP after stopping 52 shots in the title game. Rose also made 31 saves in Tuesday's 4-3 victory over the University of Southern New Hampshire.
Freshman Andrew Flynn (Stamford, Ct.) scored the game winner with :02 seconds remaining in the second period rifling a shot past Beacons' goaltender Ryan Donovan (Rexford, NY).
The Rams got on the board three minutes prior as senior Niles Moore (Columbus, Ohio) pushed a loose puck under Donovan's pads to even the score at 1-1. The goal was Moore's third of the tournament and team-high ninth of the season.
Umass-Boston got the scoring started in the first taking advantage of a power-play as sophomore Wayne Sands (Chalfant, Penn.) scored his first goal of the season off of feeds from Eric Tufman (Abington, Penn.) and Matt Atsoff (Macomb, Mich.).
The Rams had a tough first period falling behind with the one goal edge, not registering a shot on net, and were called for three penalties in the period.
The Beacons outshot the Rams, 53-20 in the contest.
Both teams had golden opportunities in the game's finals twenty minutes but neither team was able to capitalize. Umass-Boston had two terrific scoring opportunities within the first three minutes of the final frame, twice hitting the goal post. Rose was stellar stopping all 22 shots he faced in the period to preserve the Rams' victory.
Suffolk also had a chance to put the game away as Flynn made a dazzling move cutting short on a Beacon's defender and deking him before his wrister hit the top of the crossbar.
Moore finished the tournament with three goals and was named to the All-Tournament team along with senior Joe Drago (Waltham, Mass.) who had an assist and was a +2 in the championship game.
Suffolk will be back in action on January 12 as they travel to Portland, Maine to take on the University of Southern Maine in non-league action. Faceoff is set for 7:00pm.