The University of Rhode Island men’s club hockey team celebrated its seniors while sweeping its final regular-season weekend series against the Naval Academy.
In Friday’s matchup, the Midshipmen got the scoring started on a goal from forward Andrew Penca.
Second-year defenseman Zach Gold got URI on the board with a game-tying goal, but Navy answered right back to take a 2-1 lead with a goal from defenseman Benny Waud.
In the second period, Rhode Island jumped all over Navy, scoring three straight goals to take a comfortable lead.
First-year defenseman Jacob Lopes scored to tie things up at two. Shortly after, second-year forward Nathan Marshall scored the go-ahead goal to put the Rams up 3-2.
Fourth-year forward Shane Mulhern put one more in the net for Rhode Island to give them a 4-2 advantage. The Midshipmen were able to get one of their own before the end of the period on a goal from forward Mason Rudin to make it 4-3.
Navy fought its way back into this rollercoaster match as forward Patrick Laughlin tied things up at four midway through the third period.
The Midshipmen got themselves into penalty trouble late in the game, and Rhode Island was able to capitalize on a game-winning power-play goal from second-year forward Jared Weisert to put the dagger in Friday’s matchup for a 5-4 win for the Rams.
Before Saturday’s match, Rhode Island inducted Art Tuveson and Bradford R. Boss into the program’s inaugural hall of fame class.
“Brad started this program in 1950, and Art came in as the director in 1955,” URI Head Coach Joe Augustine said. “They built the product, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without them.”
Weisert, who scored the game-winning goal from the night before, carried leftover momentum as he scored first to give the Rams a 1-0 lead.
Rhode Island was playing solid defense in the first period, but forward Sean Milanette was able to push one into the net as the first period was winding down to knot things up at one.
Fourth-year defenseman Domenick Iadevaia scored the lone goal in a defensive second period to put the Rams up 2-1.
Things got chippy throughout this matchup as both teams were pushing and shoving and had to be broken up a couple of times.
Weisert scored his third goal of the series and second goal of the day in the third period to give Rhode Island a comfortable 3-1 advantage over Navy.
Penca got one back for Navy late in the period to make it 3-2 and give some hope to the Midshipmen, but Rhode Island was able to slam the door shut.
An empty net goal from second-year forward Ryan Barlow sealed the sweep over Navy for a 10th straight win and secured the Eastern Collegiate Hockey Association regular season title for the streaking Rams.
“I feel like it was huge for us to get this win,” fourth-year goalie Nick Maringola said. “Being able to compete for a national championship has added a level of desire for our team.”
Next up, Rhode Island will head to Bethlehem, Pa., for the quarterfinals of the ECHA playoffs on Saturday as the No. 1 seed, facing No. 8 Lehigh University.
Rhode Island was also selected on Tuesday as the No. 22 seed for the national championships in St. Louis. It marks the team’s first appearance in the 24-team tournament since 2015. The Rams’ first-round matchup is set for March 12 against Calvin University.
