Men’s Hockey Lifts Lid on NEHC Docket, Heads to NEC, USM

FRIDAY, NOV. 9 // 7:00 PM  LEE CLEMENT ARENA HENNIKER, N.H.
LIVE STATS | VIDEO SERIES RECORD // SUFFOLK TRAILS, 0-1-0 LAST MEETING // JAN. 13, 2015, L, 7-0 LAST SUFFOLK WIN // NEVER STREAK // L1 EYES ON THE GAME

SATURDAY, NOV. 10 // 4:00 PM  USM ICE ARENA GORHAM, MAINE
VIDEO SERIES RECORD // SUFFOLK LEADS, 7-6-1 LAST MEETING // JAN. 12, 2010, L, 5-2 LAST SUFFOLK WIN // DEC. 9, 2006, W, 3-2 STREAK // L3 EYES ON THE MATCH

BOSTON – The Suffolk men's hockey team will make its New England Hockey Conference debut this weekend as it hits the road for a pair of conference clashes at New England College and the University of Southern Maine. The Rams will first visit the Pilgrims in Henniker, New Hampshire, Friday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m., before trekking to the Huskies in Gorham, Maine, the next day, Saturday, Nov. 10 for a 4 p.m. puck drop.

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LAST TIME OUT
A three-goal second period proved to be enough for Suffolk men's hockey as the Rams rolled past Salem State, 4-1, Tuesday afternoon at Emmons Horrigan O'Neil Memorial Rink.



MORE READING: Second Period Sends Men's Hockey Past Salem State, 4-1

RAMS RUNDOWN
Suffolk improved to 2-1-0 on the early season after its final conference prep against Salem State Tuesday afternoon fell in the Rams favor, 4-1. 

Offensively, Suffolk has used a well-balanced attack to put together 13 goals in just three games. Jack Kelly leads the way with the sophomore's six points coming behind a team-high four goals and two helpers. Mikhail Bryan has also been a consistent contributor with five points on two markers and three helpers with Joseph Mortillaro's three points thanks to two strikes and one dish rounding out the 14 Suffolk skaters who have recorded a point this season.

Michael Levine has made the most of his time in net to open his senior season allowing just one goal in 119:48 of ice time for an impressive .981 save percentage and a 0.50 GAA with an unblemished 2-0-0 record. Will Ribas has also seen time in between the pipes for the blue-and-gold and brings in an .886 save percentage and a 4.11 GAA into the weekend.

STREAKING
Multiple Rams have been offensive contributors in back-to-back contests this season. Keep up with each players point streak via the chart below. 

PILGRIMS PREVIEW
New England College has etched a mark in each of the decision columns this year to head into the weekend 1-1-1 overall and 0-1-1 in NEHC action. The Pilgrims welcome Suffolk to Lee Clement Arena looking to bounce back from their 4-1 setback to UMass Boston last Saturday. 

Patrick DeBLois paces NEC's offense with a pair of goals and two assists for a team-best four points. To help DeBlois, seven skaters have contributed two-point efforts with Nikita Pintusovs' pair of points both coming off scores.

Anthony Pupplo has seen the most action in net for the Pilgrims. The junior enters the weekend with a .909 save percentage and a 2.88 GAA. Christoffer Sjöo has one game of experience under his belt this year, where ne put together a .833 save percentage and a 4.01 GAA.

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk and New England College will meet for just the second-time in the all-time series and first since 2015.
• The Rams lost the first and only battle to the Pilgrims, 7-0, Jan. 13, 2015.

EYES ON THE MATCH

HAVE TO KNOW 'BOUT THE HUSKIES
Southern Maine opened its campaign with a pair of NEHC setbacks, falling to UMass Boston (6-2) and Babson (6-4) to head into the weekend 0-2-0 overall and in conference contests. Prior to entertain the Rams Saturday afternoon, the Huskies welcome Johnson & Wales Friday night. 

Tyler Mathieu is one of two skaters with multiple points on the year with the senior forward leading the six-goal effort with a pair to himself. Cody Braga has also put together two points with one goal and one assist. Michael Green, Colin Merrill and Mark Tomaschek each have scored to round out the six-goal attack.

Anthony De'Alosio and Paul Léger each started one game apiece for USM. D'Aloisio holds a .850 save percentage to go with a 6.00 GAA, while Léger boasts a .829 save percentage and a 6.21 GAA.

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk and USM renew a rivalry, which dates back to 1985-86, with the foes meeting for the first time since 2009-10.
• The Rams lead the overall series, 7-6-1.
• Under Chris Glionna's leadership, Suffolk is 1-3-0 versus USM.
• The Huskies have won the last three meetings, including a 5-2 decision Jan. 12, 2010.
• The only draw in the series came in the form of a 2-2 overtime tilt Jan. 15, 1994.

EYES ON THE GAME

LOOKING AHEAD
Suffolk returns to the friendly confines of Emmons Horrigan O'Neil Memorial Week next weekend when it entertains Babson and UMass Boston. The Rams will first welcome Babson to Charlestown Friday, Nov. 16, before battling with the Beacons the following day, Saturday, Nov.17. Both conference clashes are scheduled for 7 p.m. starts.