Rams Hand Golden Bears a 4-1 Defeat in East Boston

East Boston, Mass. (January 27, 2023) - The Golden Bears headed to Boston looking to follow up their 5-1 victory against Wentworth last Saturday with another conference win. This is the second time the Golden Bears have met the Rams this season. The first matchup was a tie that went to a shootout and saw Suffolk come away with the win. Unfortunately, the Rams would again get the best of the Golden Bears.

Records:

• Western New England: 6-11-1 (4-9-1)
• Suffolk University: 6-10-2 (4-9-1)

How it Happened:

The game started with a faceoff circle win by John D'Aniello and the Golden Bears. WNE would then get down the ice quickly and get the first shot on net. The Suffolk goaltender, Cal Wilcox, made the opening save. 5:49 into the first period, WNE was called for a tripping penalty, setting up Suffolk's first power play of the night. WNE goalie Colton Lancaster made three big saves during the power play but could not shut out the power play. Suffolk's Peter Nugent scored his third goal of the season to put Suffolk up 1-0. Samuel Rand got the puck to Ryan Harrigan on the play. Harrigan got it to Nugent, who got it past Lancaster and into the nylon net. Suffolk had the lead early in the first period. However, WNE did not keep their heads down long. John D'Aniello won the faceoff, and the Golden Bears returned to work. WNE went to the power play a few minutes later. However, they only got one shot on net during the power play. With 6:02 left in the period, both teams got a minor penalty, so the teams skated 4-on-4 for two minutes. WNE only got one shot off during the 4-on-4, but Suffolk got three. The period would wither to an end, but right before the end, Suffolk was called for a trip, so after the final 12 seconds of the first period, the period would end, and WNE would start the second period on the penalty. Lancaster made 13 saves in the first period compared to the seven made by Wilcox. The Rams led after one period of play, but the Golden Bears were ready for period two.

D'Aniello won the faceoff right out of the break, and as the power play ended, Dalton Garcia found the back of the net, finally getting one past Wilcox. It was a power-play goal for the Golden Bears. Jason Diamond was able to get the puck to Cam Gaylor. Gaylor pushed a pass to Garcia, and Garcia netted the puck. It was a big play for the Golden Bears and knotted the game at one goal per side. The Golden Bears were called for a trip two minutes later. However, Lancaster made three saves during the Suffolk power play, and the defense pushed the Rams aside and did not let up another power-play goal. Lancaster made save after save during the next eight minutes. The Golden Bears would then be called for a roughing penalty again. The Rams would only get one shot off during the power play, but Lancaster made the save. The Rams would not score during the power play, but the Golden Bears went on the power play soon after, looking to break the tie. Wilcox made two saves during the power play, and Lancaster even had to make a save. Soon after, the second period ended with both sides tied at one. Lancaster made 11 saves during the second period. Wilcox made ten saves. The third was going to be a big one for the CCC standings. 

Suffolk won the opening faceoff and would control the play. Then, 40 seconds into the final period of play, Suffolk scored. It was Nugent again. Peter Nugent got the puck from Griffin Clark, who got it from Harrigan and could slot it past Lancaster. The Rams now led 2-1 with less than 20 minutes to play in the game. The Golden Bears tried to get opportunities, but the Rams' defense and Wilcox steered them away until they could get goal number three. With 10:50 left in the game, Phil Decresce put a damper on the hopes of the Golden Bears getting the win. Tyler Anastasi sent the puck to Max Rand, who sent it to Decresce, who slid it past Lancaster for the goal. The score would stay 3-1 until the end of the period when WNE pulled their goalie for the extra skater. Cole Scott capitalized on the empty net to give the Rams the 4-1 win over WNE. Lancaster finished with 35 saves during the game, and Wilcox made 23.

Inside the Crease:

• The Golden Bears headed out to the Boston area for a CCC matchup with the Rams of Suffolk University.
• Peter Nugent got the Rams on the board first with a power-play goal. Samuel Rand and Ryan Harrigan were credited with the assists. 
• Dalton Garcia got the Golden Bears level with a power play goal in the second period. Jason Diamond and Cam Gaylor assisted on the goal.
• Peter Nugent scored 40 seconds into the third period to give the Rams the lead. Ryan Harrigan and Griffin Clark were given the assists. 
• Phil Decresce scored halfway through the period to put the Rams up 3-1. Tyer Anastasi and Max Rand got credited with the assists.
• Cole Scott scored an empty-net goal to give the Rams the 4-1 win. Ryan Webb got the assist on that goal.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The two teams will return to West Springfield and Olympia Ice Center for the second game of the home-and-home series. That game will occur on Saturday, January 28, at 7:00 pm.