PROVIDENCE, R.I. – In its 2017 debut, the Suffolk men's hockey team could not overcome a two-goal first period deficit as Johnson & Wales held off a Rams comeback to defeat the blue-and-gold, 4-2, in Commonwealth Coast Conference Thursday night action inside the Dunkin Donuts Center.
THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 2, JWU 4
RECORDS: Suffolk (3-8-4, 1-6-2 CCC) | JWU (6-8-2, 1-7-1 CCC)
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Wildcats got on the boards just 42 seconds into action thanks to an unassisted tally from Fran Mackin. JWU stretched its lead to 2-0 at the 16:22 minute mark when Stefan Brucato put away a feed from Michael Mazzotta and sent Suffolk into the first intermission down by two.
Connor Henry broke open the scoring in the second stanza thanks to a set-up by Jack Jenkins to slim the margin to one with 16:24 remaining. The deficit would go right back to two when Ben Brouillard snuck one past the Rams' netminder Kevin Venturoso at 8:03. Victor Carlsson made it a three-goal game just five minutes later, before Brendan Heinze cut the deficit back to two with two minutes to play before the second break. Shayne Bailey had a hand in the goal.
Neither team was able to find the back of the netting over the final 20 minutes even though Suffolk pulled Venturos for the final 40 seconds and the Wildcats held onto the 4-2 victory.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- Connor Henry and Heinze were responsible for Suffolk's goals while Jenkins and Bailey each picked up an assist in the setback.
KEEPING UP WITH THE KEEPERS
- Venturoso dipped to 1-4 on the season despite a 37 save performance.
- Joey Ballmer set aside 31 Suffolk shots to earn the win and improve to 5-9-2 in between the pipes for JWU.
POST-GAME PIC
WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk continues on the road Saturday, Jan. 21 when the Rams stop by Becker for an 8:30 p.m. CCC puck drop.