Early lead translates to 7-1 Seahawk victory over Leopards

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (Sunday, February 11, 2024)--Salve Regina men's ice hockey scored twice in the opening two minutes of action against Wentworth Institutive of Technology, eventually leading to a 7-1 triumph against the Leopards.  

The men's ice hockey team celebrated the last home game of the regular season by holding senior day to honor Joel Shoemaker, Johnny Mulera, Seth Benson, Matthew Fawcett, Levi Mitchell, Dominic Skrelja, Joseph Kile and Garrett Szeremley. 

Head coach Zech Klann reached a milestone with the completion of tonight's matchup. Klann achieved his 100th career win. During the 2022-23 season he became the school's all-time winningest coach for men's ice hockey.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Salve Regina 7, Wentworth 1
Records: Salve Regina (15-7-2, 10-5-2 CCC), Wentworth (9-14-1, 5-11-1 CCC)
All-Time Series: Salve Regina is 14-17-5 against Wentworth since the 2007-08 season. The Seahawks beat the Leopards twice this season. On November 10, 2023, Salve Regina won 5-2 and the next day the Seahawks secured a win, 3-1. 

BREAKDOWN: 

Johnny Mulera (from Matthew Fawcett) and Walter Baumann (from Charlie Cocuzzo and Dominic Skrelja) set the tone for the game by scoring within the first two minutes of play. Fawcett's goal came in with just 1:21 gone. The Leopards calculated their counterattack however, and Wentworth struck back on a breakaway and netted their first goal from right in front of the Seahawks crease. Aidan Coupe (from Seth Benson and Josh Kroon) widened the 2-1 gap when he poked it past Leopards' Jack McGovern on the left side at 16:46 in the first period. 

The second period was the difference maker as Johnny Mulera (from Josh Kroon and Josh Damon Zimmer) secured a goal from the high slot. Walter Bauman achieved the team's next two goals, recording his second career hat trick and bringing the score to 6-1. To seal the deal in the final 20 minutes Charlie Cocuzzo (from Matthew Brunton and Dominic Skrelja) scored his first career goal with a slap shot from the right side for a 7-1 Seahawk victory. 

THOUGHTS FROM COACH KLANN:

"Tonight was a big step forward. For us to come out with the confidence that we had from start to finish is something that we can build on and it's something that we've been searching for. To see them come together on senior night with everybody here was really special. These guys have been through so much. Tonight sets aside the rest of the season, it's a good push going into playoffs. We just need to make sure we're getting better every day and hitting the ice hard this week for practice.

This was a big class of Canadian guys. It was special to see their families come down to watch them and support them. The seniors have built a brotherhood the last four years and it's something they will cherish forever. When you see guys come tougher and really care about each other that is a credit to them. I will really miss this group; they've set the bar high. These kids will be hard to replace. I still remember many of their first visits to the school. They've been leaders ever since." -Head coach Zech Klann

NOTEWORTHY:

• Cayden Bailey started in net for the Seahawks and made 18 saves. Levi Mitchell finished it out between the posts, securing the CCC victory over Wentworth. 
• Wentworth served 12 minutes on six infractions and Salve Regina sat in the penalty box for six minutes resulting from three penalties. 
• The Seahawks outshot the Leopards 51-21. 

ON THE HORIZON: 

Next Friday, February 16, the Seahawks play their last game of the regular season on the road in Biddeford, Maine against the University of New England.