Mazzei, Hockey Open Season with 5-2 Win

Sophomore Dan Mazzei (Tewksbury, Mass.) scored a goal and added two assists as the Suffolk University Hockey team opened the 2012-13 season with a 5-2 victory over the Assumption College Greyhounds on Saturday evening at Walter Brown Arena.

The Rams opened the game with a 2-0 early edge after one period of action. Sophomore Creg Cook (South Lancaster, Mass.) scored the first goal of the season for Suffolk as the defenseman lobbed a puck up from the blueline that found the back of the net for a shorthanded tally 8:55 into the first period of play. With thirteen second remaining in the first period senior Steve Drago (Waltham, Mass.) scored on a two-on-one as he was fed by Mazzei to give the Rams some momentum heading into the break.

The Rams scored their second special teams goal of the contest nearly eight minutes into the second period, this time on a power-play as junior Wes Bonnell (Flenton, Del.) converted on feeds from sophomore Tim Sprague (Plymouth, Mass.) and freshman Mike Cherpark (Enfield, Conn.). The goal would turn out to be the game-winner as the Greyhounds responded with two goals in the second period to cut the Suffolk lead the 3-2.

Freshman Alex Erban (Attleboro, Mass.) netted the Greyhounds first goal as he scored at the nine minute, his first career collegiate with assists from sophomore Patrick Ryan (Orlando, Fla.) and sophomore Jared Vona (West Seneca, N.Y.). Three and a half minutes later Assumption would convert with the extra-man advantage as junior Nick Mattiello (Johnston, R.I.) scored a power-play goal.

The Rams closed out the game in the third period as they would scored two unanswered insurance goals. Mazzei capped off his big night as he scored an unassisted goal halfway through the third period, and Cherpark clinched it as he scored with six minutes remaining as he took feeds from Mazzei and junior Charlie McGinnis (Hanover, Mass.).

Cherpark finished his collegiate debut with a goal and an assist.

Sophomore Brett Roman (Rock Tavern, N.Y.) stopped 29 shots in goal for Suffolk.

Junior Bobby Bowden (Springfield, Mass.) made 31 saves for the Greyhounds. The loss drops Assumption College to a 1-3 mark on the young season.

Suffolk held a 36-31 edge in shots on goal in the contest.

Both teams will be back in action on Wednesday evening with Assumption hosting Westfield State at 6:35pm. Suffolk will travel to Franklin Pierce University for a 7:00pm non-conference game.