Men’s Hockey Outlasts Becker

WORCESTER, Mass. – Thanks to three unanswered goals in the third period, including a pair from Mikhail Bryan, the Suffolk men's hockey team came back to take down Becker, 4-3, Saturday night at Fidelity Worcester Ice Center. The win secured the CCC regular season series sweep for the Rams over the Hawks. 

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 4, Becker 3
RECORDS: Suffolk (8-8-2, 5-6-1 CCC) | Becker (4-13-1, 2-10-0 CCC) 

HOW IT HAPPENED
After a scoreless opening period, Suffolk got on the board 5:48 into the second when Joseph Mortillaro and Jack Kelly broke free on a breakaway. Mortillaro fed Kelly near the left post to put the Rams on the board with a shorthanded goal. 

Becker responded at the 9:10 mark of the second stanza when Corey Schafer gathered a rebounded on an Austin Siering shot, to tie the game at 1-1. The Hawks would then take the lead at the 15:40 mark on a James Wallace goal. John Dutney took a wrist shot that redirected off the crossbar to Wallace, who poked it into the net to give Bekcer a 2-1 edge at the second intermission. 

Suffolk came out firing in the third period as the Rams tallied three unanswered goals. Bryan knotted the game at 2-all with a slapshot into the top left corner of the Becker net just 53 seconds into the frame. The Rams took the lead when Nick Mosher fed Connor Parent for a one-time to put the visitors in front 3-2. Bryan netted what proved to be the game winner at the 12:14 mark, with assists from Brian Brooks and Kelly. 

Just 20 seconds later, Becker pulled itself within one on a Trey McMillen goal. A Hawks' penalty with 2:28 remaining forced Becker to keep Richard O'rtenzio in net until there were just 19 seconds remaining in regulation. The Hawks had a faceoff in the Suffolk zone with 17 seconds on the clock, but could not capitalize as the Rams on for the 4-3 victory. 

KEEPING UP WITH THE KEEPERS

• Michael Levine earned the victory thanks to a 27-save effort.
• D'Ortenzio suffered the loss for Becker with the hosts netminder also turning aside 27 shots. 

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• Three different Rams put together two-point evenings led by Brian's two-goal effort. Kelly had one goal and one helper, while Brooks dished out two assists.
• Parent rounded out the Rams' goal scorers with Matt Bucher, LJ Fellows, Mosher and Mortillaro each contributing one assist on the night.
• Suffolk held the slim edge in shots, 31-30, while Becker one-upped the Rams inside the faceoff circle, 31-29.
• Neither team took advantage of its five power play opportunities on the night. 

NOTEWORTHY

• Suffolk gained an 11-9-2 lead in the all-time series with Becker, which dates back through the 2007-08 season.
• The Rams swept the regular season series with Becker for the first time since 2015-16 and third time overall since 2007-08.
• With the win, Suffolk improved to 5-6-1 in CCC competition, marking the most CCC victories since joining the league last season.
• Brooks had a career-high two assists.
• Bryan matched his career-best goals with two.  
• A quartet of Rams extended their point streaks.
  • Brooks – 4 Games – Six Points (3 Goals, 3 Assists)
  • Parent – 3 Games – Three Points (2 Goals, 1 Assist)
  • Bryan – 2 Games – Three Points (2 Goals, 1 Assist)
  • Kelly – 2 Games – Three Points (2 Goals, 1 Assist) 

POST-GAME PIC

COMING UP
Suffolk is set for a home-and-home Commonwealth Coast Conference series with Curry next weekend. The Rams will first host the Colonels Friday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. at Emmons Horrigan O'Neill Memorial Rink before visiting the Max Ulin Rink Saturday, Jan. 27 for a 4:50 p.m. tilt.