ECAC Northeast Quarterfinal: Salve Regina vs. Johnson & Wales

Summary: Salve Regina University men's ice hockey plays host to Johnson & Wales University in a quarterfinal matchup of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Northeast Championships at the Portsmouth Abbey (3:10 p.m. puck drop)

Match-up: #3 Salve Regina Seahawks (14-10-1; 9-6-1 ECACNE) versus #6 Johnson & Wales Wildcats (11-10-4; 7-6-3 ECACNE)

Game date, time and site: Sat., Feb. 27, 2016; 3:10 p.m. @ Portsmouth R.I. (Portsmouth Abbey)

Directions: http://bit.ly/1VEVmTr

Tickets: $5 for adults; $3 for kids; anyone with a Salve ID admitted free. Tickets available at the door day-of-game.

Series edge: The Seahawks have won three in a row over the Wildcats and four of the last five, however Johnson & Wales still owns an 18-11-0 record in the all-time series.

Last Seahawk win in series: Salve Regina won 4-1 on February 17, 2016 in Portsmouth.

Last Wildcats win in series: Johnson & Wales won 4-1 on February 22, 2015 in Portsmouth.

Live stats: http://bit.ly/1QffjQk

Video/Audio: http://bit.ly/1Qn9ctE (Ed Habershaw and Andrew Pezzelli on the broadcast)

Follow the Seahawks on Twitter @SalveAthletics

SALVE REGINA VS. JOHNSON & WALES

• The Seahawks and Wildcats met twice this season with Salve Regina taking both of those games. 
• In the first meeting on January 8, 2016 the teams were tied 1-1 through one period before the Seahawks erupted for four second period goals to chase netminder Joey Ballmer in an eventual 5-1 victory.
• In the more recent meeting on February 17, 2016, in Portsmouth, R.I., after two scoreless periods the game was tied 1-1 late in the third before Cameron Russo shot the puck off of Ballmer's shoulder from behind the net and in for a goal. The Wildcats pulled the goalie later but gave up two empty netters for a eventual 4-1 final in favor of Salve Regina.
• Russo's efforts, two goals in the game, earned him the ECAC Rookie of the Week award.
• The Seahawks and Wildcats met last season in the ECAC Northeast Semifinal on March 4, 2015.
• The Seahawks raced out to a 6-0 lead en route to a 9-3 final. It was the Seahawks first ever home playoff win. 
• Senior John Scoria had three goals and three assists in the game to become the programs all-time leading scorer.

LAST TIME OUT - WENTWORTH 4, SALVE REGINA 1  - FEBRUARY 20, 2016

• After suffering an 8-1 defeat at Salve Regina back on January 20, the Wentworth Institute of Technology hockey team earned a split of the season series as the Leopards defeated the Seahawks, 4-1, in the regular-season finale for both teams. 
• Wentworth managed to find the back of the net twice within the first stanza. Taking a 1-0 lead before Shaun Patry tied things on the powerplay 1-1, but regaining the one goal lead when Erik Anderson answered on the powerplay.
• Wentwworth would add a another goal in each period for the 4-1 final.

LAST TIME OUT -  JOHNSON & WALES 5, NICHOLS 4 - FEBRUARY 20, 2016

• After only one goal in the first 40 minutes, the two teams combined to score seven goals in the third period. JWU took a 4-3 lead on Fran Mackin's (Philadelphia, Pa.) second goal in a row, but Nichols answered with 4:17 left in the game to force the extra period.
• Rookie Jonathan Ruiz tallied a goal at the 3:53 mark to give the Johnson & Wales University men's hockey team a 5-4 victory over first-place Nichols. 
• The Wildcats go into the ECAC playoffs with five points in their last four games. 

IN THE POSTSEASON

TODAY'S SALVE REGINA MEN'S ICE HOCKEY FACT(S) YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT

INDIVIDUAL CAREER HISTORY

• Please click here for an individual career history report (pdf) for the entire 2015-16 Salve Regina men's ice hockey roster. 

CAPTAINS

• Salve Regina is captained by seniors Marc Biggs and Lucas Sousa.
• "I am very excited for these guys to lead our team," said head coach Andy Boschetto. "I think their experience will help them lead this team as they both come from winning backgrounds. I am looking forward to the year as they have a great group of seniors as well that have been creating a good culture alongside them."

ECAC NORTHEAST PRESEASON COACHES' POLL