Box Score HOOKSETT, N.H. – Freshman Steven Leonard (Rockaway, Park, N.Y.) scored a career-high three points, including the game-winning goal, to lead the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth to a 5-4 victory over Suffolk University in the opening round of the Manchester PAL/Stovepipe Cup tournament this afternoon at the Ice Den on the campus of Southern New Hampshire University.
The Basics
Score: UMass Dartmouth 5, Suffolk University 4
Records: UMass Dartmouth (4-4-0) | Suffolk (2-5-2)
How it Happened
Both teams traded momentum in the first 20 minutes of play, but it wasn't until 8:47 into the first stanza when Jeff Kirkwood (Ithaca, N.Y.) found the back of the net to give UMass Dartmouth the early 1-0 lead. Fellow freshman Steven Leonard (Rockaway Park, N.Y.) was credited with the assist. Casey Shea (Woburn, Mass.) was able to tack on another goal for the Corsairs four minutes later to pad the lead despite the Corsairs being doubled up on shots by the Rams.
In the second period, the Rams' cut the lead in half by scoring 18 seconds into the second frame. Halfway through the period, sophomore Brendan McDonough (Wilmington, Mass.) extended the lead back to two on the power play, with the assists credited to Leonard and Kirkwood. Suffolk's Tommy Bishop (Chelmsford, Mass.) tied the game for the Rams with two straight goals, with the second coming with just 55 seconds remaining in the period. The Corsairs tightened up the shots total by outshooting Suffolk 20-10 in the stanza.
The Corsairs once again regained the lead nine minutes into the third period of play, when Connor Court (Swansea, Il.). Court's goal was the second shorthanded score for UMass Dartmouth on the afternoon, as Jerry Laakso (Tampere, Finland) and goalie Drew Michals (Newton, Mass.) gathered the assists. With a little over 90 seconds remaining in the third, Leonard tallied his third point of the game, which would hold as the game-winner despite Suffolk adding one more just moments later.
Inside the Numbers
- Since the start of the 1999-2000 season, UMass Dartmouth boasts an 11-3 record against Suffolk in the all-time series. The Corsairs avenged a 9-5 defeat to the Rams last season in New Bedford, Mass.
- Michals backstopped UMass Dartmouth to the victory, stopping 40 of the 44 shots he faced. Michals registered at least 40 saves in three contests this season. He made a season-high 51 saves against then-No. 2 UMass Boston on November 5, 2016.
- Michals has turned aside at least 40 attempts in seven career contests with the Corsairs. He made a career-high 55 saves against nationally-ranked Babson College on November 24, 2015.
- Michael Levine (Clarendon Hill, Ill.) turned aside 25 shots despite taking the loss for the Rams.
- With a helper today, Laakso ranks among the national leaders in points per game by a defensemen (12th, 1.12).
- Suffolk held the advantage in shots (44-25), but the Corsairs controlled the circle (46-for-87).
- Both teams went 1-5 on the power-play, while the Corsairs capitalized on two shorthanded goals.
- UMass Dartmouth has the third most short-handed goals (4) in Division II and III, one behind Utica College and two shy of St. Norbet.
- UMass Dartmouth advanced to the championship round of the Manchester PAL/Stovepipe Cup for the second-straight season. Last season, the Corsairs defeated the host Penmen, 3-0, before falling to the University of New England.
Up Next
UMass Dartmouth will return to action at 4:30pm on Sunday, November 27, when the Corsairs face Johnson & Wales (R.I.) in the championship game. The Wildcats shutout the Penmen in the other semifinal contest last night, 4-0.
