Junior Willy Baker scored his first two goals of the season tonight as Stonehill topped Suffolk, 4-2. |
Skyhawks kill off all eight Suffolk power plays en route to their third straight victory
FOXBORO, Mass. (January 8, 2015) – Stonehill College opened its second semester schedule this evening with a hard fought, 4-2 victory over Suffolk University in non-conference men's ice hockey action at the Foxboro Sports Center.
Stonehill racked up 11 penalties in the contest for a total of 33 minutes, but the Skyhawks were able to successfully kill off all eight of Suffolk's power play opportunities to secure their third consecutive victory. Since opening the season with a pair of defeats, Stonehill is unbeaten in its last eight contests, with a mark of 6-0-2.
Junior forward Willy Baker (Suffern, New York/Hill School) led the way offensively with his first two goals of the season, while classmates Richard Harris (Grand Island, New York/Valley Jr. Warriors) and Dan Graham (Billerica, Massachusetts/Williston Northampton) tallied a goal and an assist each. Junior Kevin Airoldi (Kennebunk, Maine/Boston Jr. Rangers) chipped in with a pair of assists, and classmates Anthony D'Elia (Stamford, Connecticut/Gunnery School) and Thomas DePoalo (Mendham, New Jersey/Morristown Beard School) were credited with one helper each.
Senior netminder Chris Tasiopoulos (Norwell, Massachusetts/Thayer Academy) earned his fifth win of the season between the pipes after registering 25 saves in 27 chances, including all ten in the third period.
Sophomores Simon Leahy (Milwaukee, Wisconsin/Northern Cyclones) and Brett Lawson (Milford, Massachusetts/Boston Jr. Rangers) each found the back of the net for the Rams, while junior defenseman Connor McCarthy (Hanover, Massachusetts/Boston-AJHL) added an assist.
Making just his second start of the season in net, Suffolk sophomore goaltender Kevin Venturoso (Franklin, Massachusetts/South Shore Kings) was solid, turning back a game-high 26 shots.
Harris opened the scoring just over seven minutes into the first period, when he slammed home his fourth goal of the season on a wraparound. The Rams answered a minute later, however, as Stonehill turned the puck over in its defensive zone and Leahy capitalized to even the score.
Junior Dan Graham chipped in with a goal and an assist to help the Skyhawks to their third straight win. |
Stonehill was able to regain its advantage before the end of the period, as Harris and DePoalo set up Graham with two minutes remaining before intermission. Just four minutes into the second period, the Rams pulled even again on Lawson's second of the season.
Stonehill went back up by one goal at the 12:19 mark of the middle period, as Baker scored with the help of D'Elia and Airoldi, and this time the Skyhawks held onto their lead.
Suffolk had plenty of opportunities to equalize for the third time in the final 20 minutes, as the Rams put ten shots on goal and Stonehill was hampered by five penalties. Just six seconds after junior defenseman Connor Fallon (Weymouth, Massachusetts/South Shore Kings) was whistled for a two-minute cross checking minor at the 6:55 mark, D'Elia was sent off for a hitting from behind infraction.
The Skyhawks were forced to play down two men for two minutes, and down one player for an additional three, but the Rams could not get a shot past Tasiopoulos. Baker potted his second of the evening on a one-timer from Graham with under three minutes remaining to seal the victory.
Following tonight's contest, Stonehill (6-2-2, 3-0-1 NE-10) will hit the road on Saturday for a 7 p.m. matchup at Connecticut College. The Skyhawks are set to return home to the Foxboro Sports Center next Wednesday evening to host Becker College. Suffolk (8-3-1, 4-0-1 ECAC Northeast) is also back in action on Saturday night with a home game against Tufts University.
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