The University of Rhode Island men’s club hockey team swept its weekend series against Drexel University, defeating the Dragons 4-3 on Friday and 4-0 on Saturday.
Friday was a hard-fought battle until the very end, with the Rams coming out with the win in overtime.
“It was the worst game we have played all season,” URI Head Coach Joe Augustine said. “We struggled with basic things we talked about in September, even now when we’re in February.”
The Rams were able to build an early two-goal lead in the first period with scores from fourth-year forward Corey Szabo and second-year forward Aidan Darlington.
The Rams looked to have a lot of momentum going until Drexel was able to cut the lead in half with a goal from fourth-year forward Matt Harris with 3:57 remaining in the first.
“We are up and down mentally and physically,” Augustine said. “We made terrible mistakes, bad turnovers and other things we have been talking about all year.”
Rhode Island was able to get a pair of power plays in the second period, with the second chance resulting in a goal from the point by second-year defenseman Zach Gold off an assist from second-year forward Cam Cyr, which was his second assist on the day.
“When we get it moving around and make good decisions, we are pretty good,” Augustine said. “We didn’t get a lot of chances tonight, but we did what we could.”
The Rams’ lead began to fade away in the third period. Drexel was able to open up scoring in the third with a second goal from Harris just seven minutes into the period. Not even five minutes later, first-year forward Latham Hutchinson was able to sneak one past fourth-year goalie Nick Maringola.
Time in regulation expired, and the game went into three-on-three overtime. The Rams fought hard for four and a half minutes, as first-year forward Charlie Nelson was able to find fourth-year forward Shane Mulhern to win the game for Rhode Island with just under 30 seconds to go.
“We are going to get some rest tonight and do the same thing tomorrow,” Mulhern said. “We are ready and confident. If we work as a team, we will be just fine.”
The Rams started slow, but were able to make it out of the first period with a 1-0 lead after a goal from third-year forward Chase Gaudioso off an assist from second-year forward Nathan Marshall and first-year defenseman Jacob Lopes.
Rhode Island was able to put the game away in the second period, scoring three more goals. Aidan Darlington put in the first two goals of the period, bringing his season total to 11. Fourth-year defenseman Domenick Iadevaia put the finishing touch on the game with a goal set up by third-year forward Max Lockwood and Nelson.
Riding a season-best six-game win streak, the Rams will look to carry that momentum on the road for their next weekend series on Friday and Saturday against William Patterson University.
