The Suffolk University men’s hockey team looked to earn back-to-back wins to open up the season on Nov. 9 to improve to a record of 2-0.

In their first game, the Rams tallied an impressive 3-1 win over Assumption College.

Goaltending and defense were solid, while Tim Sprague and Jon Stauffer led the way offensively for the Rams.

The second game of this young season would be an away matinee against conference opponent Salve Regina. Salve had also started the season stong with a record of 2-0 coming into the contest.

The first period was a disaster for the Rams. Only a minute-and-a half after the puck was dropped Suffolk found itself in the penalty box. Although Salve did not capitalize on this power-play, it would towards the end of Simon Leahy’s cross-checking penalty which came around the five mark.

Suffolk continued to play hard in the first but surrendered two goals in just over a minute to head into the dressing room down 3-0 after one.

The second period continued to be a struggle for the Rams as they were unable to capitalize on power play chances. After coming up empty on their first four power play opportunities, Suffolk took another step backward as Salve winger Cameron Gaudet was able to score a short-handed goal on Suffolk fifth power play.

After the fourth goal for Salve was scored, Head Coach Chris Glionna decided to pull goaltender Brandon Smolarek in favor for Brett Roman. Smolarek allowed four goals on 18 shots for the Rams.

Towards the end of the second, Salve’s Parker Bowen netted his second goal of the season past Roman to extend the lead to a now 5-0 advantage.

Suffolk would have to keep their head up and continue to work on its game in the third to come out with some self-confidence for the next game; and that’s what the team did.

Unfortunately before Suffolk would look like they team they plan to be, they would surrender another power play goal to Salve, this time the goal came from Michael Naso, who potted his second goal of the game.

That would be the last goal Suffolk would let past their pipes, and they figured that now it was time for them to get on the board.

Finally, with less than 10 minutes left to go, Simon Leahy scored his first goal of the season. His goal gave a breath of life for himself and his team, and they responded. Just two minutes after Leahy’s goal, Tim Sprague decided to join the party with a goal of his own, and his third in two games. His goal was assisted by Carmen Mastrangelo and Stanton Turner, this would be the second assist in as many minutes for Turner as he also assisted on Leahy’s.

Just one minute and eleven seconds after Suffolk’s second goal, they scored once again. Senior Charlie McGinnis potted his first goal of the year assisted by Garrett Stephenson and Richard Woodworth.

There were no goals scored in the remaining six minutes and the Rams fell to Salve by a final of 6-3.

Suffolk was unable to convert eight power play chances which really hurt them on the scoresheet. Also, the Rams allowed two power play goals to be scored upon them, look for special teams to be a focal point of practice this week for coach Glionna.

Suffolk moves to 1-1 on the season and will play yet another conference game on Thursday when it visit Johnson & Whales University.