Box Score PAWTUCKET, R.I. – Senior Shaun Walters (Plymouth, Mich.) netted a pair of goals to give the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth a 2-1 second period lead, but Johnson & Wales stormed back with the final six markers to earn a 7-2 victory this evening in a NCAA Division III men's ice hockey contest at the Blackstone Valley Sports Center.
The Wildcats secured their second consecutive win to improve to 7-5-1, while the Corsairs fell to 2-8-2.
Walters powered the UMass Dartmouth offensive attack with his second straight and third multi-goal game of the season. Junior Mike Restuccia (Malden, Mass.) was credited with two assists, while freshman Jerry Laakso (Tampere, Finland) added a helper.
Sophomore Ben Brouillard was the offensive catalyst for Johnson & Wales, setting up four goals. Classmate Connor Bates registered three points, on two goals and an assist, while Fran Mackin and Drew Kariofiles each posted a marker and a helper. Senior Brad Atkinson stopped 17 of the 19 shots he faced in 60 minutes of action to earn the win.
UMass Dartmouth cracked the scoring column with less than two minutes remaining in the first period. Walters converted a feed from Restuccia to give the visitors' the early 1-0 advantage at the 18:34 mark.
The Corsairs were looking to ride the momentum of the late tally into the intermission break, but Johnson & Wales notched the equalizer with just 11 ticks remaining on the scoreboard. Sophomore Fran Mackin forged the 1-all tie with his fourth marker of the campaign.
UMass Dartmouth regained its advantage six minutes, 47 seconds into the second stanza, when Walters posted his team-leading seventh goal of the season.
Junior Josh Obregon provided the answer for Johnson & Wales less than three minutes later to draw the contest even for the second and final time. The Wildcats were able to cash in on the power play to take a 3-2 lead into the second intermission.
Johnson & Wales continued to apply the offensive pressure in the third period, sealing the victory with four insurance markers.
Sophomore JJ Solloway (Derry, N.H.) played all 60 minutes in net for the visitors, finishing with 30 saves.
Johnson & Wales held a 37-19 advantage in shots. The Wildcats were 1-for-4 on the power play, while the Corsairs were unable to capitalize on their three chances.
UMass Dartmouth will return to action at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 9, when the Corsairs travel to the College of the Holy Cross to face Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) rival Worcester State.
