FRAMINGHAM, Mass. – Behind a third period score from rookie center
Collin Patterson, the UMass Dartmouth men's hockey team came-from-behind to earn a 2-1 victory over Framingham State University in MASCAC action on Thursday evening at Loring Arena. The Corsairs move to 6-6-0 and 4-4-0 in conference play, while the Rams are now 4-7-0 and 4-5-0 in the MASCAC.
Locked in a 1-1 battle entering the final period, the homestanding Rams had several chances on the power play, including a rally at 11:31 that saw four shots fired in, including a pair on goal from Brady Rossbach and Walker Smith that were stopped by Corsairs goalie
Daniel Davidson to keep the score at 1-all.
A faceoff in the Rams zone saw the home team win it and try to clear it out, but senior defender
Cade Hanley knocked it down at the point, sending it along the boards toward goal. Rookie winger
Alex Walker was there, backhanding a pass to a speeding Patterson as he one-timed it in from the low circle to give UMass Dartmouth the 2-1 advantage at 13:48.
Late in the frame, following a Rams timeout, the home team pulled its goalie with 1:15 remaining in favor of the extra-attacker. Attempting to net the equalizer, Framingham State saw Collazo drive a shot in that was once again stopped by Davidson, followed by a shot from Smith that the Corsairs goalie handled with 23 seconds remaining.
Despite a late penalty call in the final 11 seconds, the Corsairs held on for the victory over the Rams, avenging a 4-2 loss UMass Dartmouth suffered against Framingham State at home in early November.
The Rams opened the game's scoring in the second period, capitalizing on their third power play opportunity. Matthew Nuzzolilo brought the puck up the far boards, skating to the top of the right circle with a one-timer past the reach of Davidson at 7:12.
The Corsairs were awarded a five-minute major at 9:13 but were unable to take advantage despite saved shots from six different players. Rookie centers
Collin Patterson and
Connor Little sent in back-to-back shots, while sophomore winger
Kevin Johnston also tested Rams goalie Trevor Stenberg.
Nearing the end of the opportunity, the Corsairs netminder shined as a shorthanded breakaway by Cameron Lindsay saw Davidson record consecutive saves, including one on his back, as he prevented the Rams from taking a 2-0 lead.
UMass Dartmouth carried that momentum into their next power play opportunity as captain and defender
Jake Maynard navigated the puck into the zone, sending a quick pass across the mid-slot to sophomore winger
Tyler Stewart on the left side. His shot was saved by Stenberg as the rebound caromed back to sophomore winger
Vincent Nicosia, who passed it back to Stewart as he drove it home for the equalizer at 18:19.
Davidson was outstanding for the Corsairs, recording 38 saves with just one goal allowed. His counterpart, Stenberg, shouldered the loss with 32 stops on the evening.
The Corsairs return to action on Saturday, traveling to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts for a 7pm MASCAC tilt against the Trailblazers.
