Spring Break
Men's ice hockey splits weekend doubleheader; women fall short
Brandon Gearing
Issue date: 1/22/09 Section: Sports
01/22/09 - After a month-long break, the University of Rhode Island hockey program returned to action with both the men's and women's teams on the road.
The Rhody men split two games to the University of Delaware, winning game one 5-2, while losing game two 4-3. The women took on Lindenwood University in three games and fell in two games 4-1, 3-2 and tied one 0-0.
The Rhode Island men traveled to Eastern States Collegiate League Hockey foe Delaware's Olympic-sized ice arena for the contest.
Rhody came into game one battling for first place in the ESCLH and did all they could to better their chances.
Delaware forward Mike McBride opened the scoring with 16:51 on the clock by finding the back of the net on a short-handed goal.
Four minutes later, Rhode Island struck back with a score by senior Mike Bragger.
The two teams remained deadlocked for 10 minutes of back and forth play until URI was called for too many players on the ice, giving Delaware a power play advantage.
It took only seconds of power play action for Delaware defensemen Joe Baumgartner to fire a puck past goaltender Joe Spagnoli and end the stalemate.
The second period saw strong play by both Spagnoli and Delaware goalie Kurt Pflumm.
Spagnoli turned away 20 shots in the frame to keep the Rams in the contest.
Pflumm stayed solid until freshman Dan Lassick was able to find a hole in the Blue Hens' defense and secure the equalizer with 9:55 left in the period.
The third period was all Rhode Island as Bragger struck again to give Rhody a 3-2 advantage.
From there, the Rams never looked back as senior Matt Wodecki added an insurance goal off of a breakaway to put the Rams up 4-2.
Senior Ben Herring shut the door shortly thereafter, adding another goal with 5:48 remaining.
"We came out strong in this one and finished even stronger," said senior co-captain Cory Manley.
The following day, Rhode Island looked to earn a sweep in order to put itself in good position to secure first place in the ESCHL.
The Rhody men split two games to the University of Delaware, winning game one 5-2, while losing game two 4-3. The women took on Lindenwood University in three games and fell in two games 4-1, 3-2 and tied one 0-0.
The Rhode Island men traveled to Eastern States Collegiate League Hockey foe Delaware's Olympic-sized ice arena for the contest.
Rhody came into game one battling for first place in the ESCLH and did all they could to better their chances.
Delaware forward Mike McBride opened the scoring with 16:51 on the clock by finding the back of the net on a short-handed goal.
Four minutes later, Rhode Island struck back with a score by senior Mike Bragger.
The two teams remained deadlocked for 10 minutes of back and forth play until URI was called for too many players on the ice, giving Delaware a power play advantage.
It took only seconds of power play action for Delaware defensemen Joe Baumgartner to fire a puck past goaltender Joe Spagnoli and end the stalemate.
The second period saw strong play by both Spagnoli and Delaware goalie Kurt Pflumm.
Spagnoli turned away 20 shots in the frame to keep the Rams in the contest.
Pflumm stayed solid until freshman Dan Lassick was able to find a hole in the Blue Hens' defense and secure the equalizer with 9:55 left in the period.
The third period was all Rhode Island as Bragger struck again to give Rhody a 3-2 advantage.
From there, the Rams never looked back as senior Matt Wodecki added an insurance goal off of a breakaway to put the Rams up 4-2.
Senior Ben Herring shut the door shortly thereafter, adding another goal with 5:48 remaining.
"We came out strong in this one and finished even stronger," said senior co-captain Cory Manley.
The following day, Rhode Island looked to earn a sweep in order to put itself in good position to secure first place in the ESCHL.
