Boston, Mass. (January 26, 2024) – The Golden Bears traveled to Boston, Massachusetts, for a CCC matchup with the Suffolk University Rams. The Golden Bears had two wins in a row leading into this contest, hoping to make it three. However, the Rams grabbed one goal in the first and another in the second to lead by two. The Golden Bears were not able to capture a goal and lost the game 2-0.

Records:

• Western New England: 11-5-2 (7-4-1)
• Suffolk University: 5-13-1 (4-7-1)

How it Happened:

To start the game, the Golden Bears and Rams started Rieley Jessie-Gerelli and Lily O'Neil in net, respectively. Katie Newkirk won the opening faceoff for the Rams, and the game began. The Rams started quickly with five shots in a row to start the game. The Golden Bears would answer with three shots of their own. The teams would go back and forth for a few minutes before the Rams had four shots in a row, with Jessie-Gerelli having to make two saves. The Rams would have the game's first power play opportunity and had five shots during it, with no shots on goal. The Golden Bears had a shorthanded shot stopped by O'Neil. The teams would return to back-and-forth action for a couple of minutes before the Rams started to gain more possession and had more shots than the Golden Bears. They would go on a 12-2 run with shots. That run was halted momentarily by a WNE penalty. The Rams had two shots on goal during the power play, with the second being a power play goal. With 3:48 left in the opening period of play, Sam Molind sent the puck to Katie Newkirk, who put a shot on net, which was saved by Jessie-Gerelli. However, the rebound bounced to Jenna Caballero, who sent the puck into the back of the net. The Rams led 1-0. The Golden Bears would respond with eight of the final eleven shots of the opening period of play, and the teams entered the first intermission with the Rams ahead by one. The first period of play saw the Rams outshoot the Golden Bears 14-8 in shots on goal and 34-19 in total shots. The Rams also won the faceoff battle 7-6 and blocked more shots 9-4. The Golden Bears led in saves, 13-8. The Rams led the game 1-0 after one period of play.

Katie Newkirk won the opening faceoff for the Rams, and forty-two seconds later, the Rams doubled their lead. On the assist from Katie Newkirk, Kellie Popkin sent a shot past the Golden Bears' goalie to make the score 2-0 Rams. Suffolk followed the goal with four shots in a row. They kept the pressure on the Golden Bears until they were called for a penalty, and the Golden Bears went on the power play. The Golden Bears tallied four shots, with three of them on goal. O'Neil made each save. The teams traded shots for a little while before the Rams had six shots in a row. That would lead to a Golden Bear penalty and the Rams having another power play opportunity.

The Rams had five shots, with three on goal during the power play. Jessie-Gerelli made each save. The Golden Bears had a couple of shots to answer the power play opportunity, but shortly after, the Rams returned to the power play. The Rams had five shots again on the power play, with three more shots on goal that Jessie-Gerelli saved. Soon after the Suffolk power play ended, the Golden Bears had one. They had five shots, two on goal during the power play, but no goals. The Rams had a shorthanded shot saved by Jessie-Gerelli. The second period of play would end a few minutes later, with both teams having two shots to finish the second. The second saw the Rams have thirteen shots to the Golden Bears' nine. The Rams also led in total shots 26-15. Both teams had six shots blocked, and seven faceoffs won. The Golden Bears led in saves 12-9. The Rams doubled their lead and led 2-0 at the second intermission. 

The third period of play started with a Katie Newkirk opening faceoff win for the Rams. The Rams also had the first four shots of the third. The Golden Bears answered with seven shots to two from the Rams. A penalty was then called on the Rams. The Golden Bears had five shots, with two on goal during the power play. The Golden Bears would hold onto the puck after the power play was over and had three shots in a row, with two on goal saved by O'Neil. WNE tried to keep the pressure on the Rams, hoping to get a goal and cut the Suffolk University lead to one. WNE would even pull their goalie with under two minutes remaining in the game. However, even with the Golden Bears having the final six shots, they could not get a goal past O'Neil, and the Rams would win. In total, both teams had 31 shots on goal during the game. The Rams had more saves 31-29, more total shots, 67-58, more faceoff wins 27-23, and more blocked shots 22-10. The Rams beat the Golden Bears 2-0.

Inside the Crease:

• The Golden Bears traveled east to the Louis E. Porrazzo Memorial Skating Rink in Boston, Massachusetts, for a CCC game against Suffolk University.
• Jenna Caballero netted the opening goal for the Rams 16:12 into the opening period of play. Katie Newkirk and Sam Molind assisted the goal. Suffolk University led 1-0
• Kellie Popkin had the second goal for the Rams forty-two seconds into the second period of play. Katie Newkirk had the assist. The Rams led 2-0.
• There were no goals scored in the third period of play.
• Rieley Jessie-Gerelli saved 29 shots.
• Lily O'Neil made 31 saves and earned the shutout win.
• The Rams beat the Golden Bears 2-0.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The teams will travel to the Olympia Ice Center in West Springfield, Massachusetts, for their second half of the home-and-home series. The game will be on Saturday, January 27, at 7:00 PM. The Golden Bears are hosting their annual "Hockey Fights Cancer Night" during the game.