Syracuse Falls at Rhode Island to Conclude Road Trip

By Natalie Symonowicz and Matthew Gray

KINGSTON, R.I. — The Syracuse Men’s Hockey Team (9-14-1) wrapped up a seven-game road trip with back-to-back non-conference matchups against the University of Rhode Island (19-8-1). In the opening game of the series on Friday, SU fell 5-3 to the URI despite a strong start and several momentum swings throughout the night. In Game Two Saturday, the Orange built an early lead via two quick tallies in the opening minutes, but the Rams stormed back with three of their own and held on for a slim 3-2 win.

Photo Credit: Maria Kaffes / @mariakaffesimages

Syracuse got off to a fast start. Carter Rugg opened the scoring just over 7 minutes into the game to give the Orange a 1-0 lead and Bradley Parker doubled the lead just over four minutes later. URI answered late, as Aidan Darlington capitalized with 2:32 remaining to cut the Orange lead to one. Syracuse held into the first intermission holding a 2-1 lead.

The middle frame belonged to Rhode Island, which outshot Syracuse 27-22 over the first two periods. URI tied the game early with Jared Weisert scoring less than three minutes into the second. A Syracuse penalty shortly after gave URI the opportunity to take the lead with Darlington scoring his second of the night with 15:17 left. 

Offsetting penalties midway through the period led to an extended four-on-four play, but it was Darlington who stayed hot, completing a hat trick with his third goal of the night, making it 4-2 URI. Syracuse earned two power play chances later in the period, and finally broke through when Ryan Thoms scored with just over 2 minutes left, putting the Orange within one. 

Defense and special teams dominated the final period. Syracuse killed an early penalty, and later earned a power play of their own, but failed to tie the game up. With time winding down, Syracuse pulled goaltender AJ Finta for the extra attacker with just over 2 minutes remaining. URI sealed the game with an empty-net goal with 1:20 left, following a controversial no-icing call, to extend the lead 5-3. 

Despite an early two-goal lead and late push, Syracuse couldn’t overcome a big second period from the Rams and a standout performance by Darlington. 

To start off Saturday’s contest, Syracuse once again came out firing on all cylinders offensively. 

Just 4:05 into play, Henry Pendleton put the Orange on the front foot with a tip in tally. Less than three minutes later, Rugg followed suit off a feed from Jack Duffy to push Syracuse ahead 2-0 over Rhode Island in the first. But just like the day prior, SU’s multi-goal advantage was short-lived. Despite registering 9 shots compared to SU’s 14 in the period, the Rams made the most of their limited chances. Tim Crane and Max Lockwood quickly brought the game back to a tie with consecutive goals at the 11:48 and 13:06 marks.

After a first period void of any penalties by either side, the middle frame saw URI fall into multiple sloppy missteps that led to repeated chances for SU’s man-advantage unit. The Orange’s power play took the ice three times in the second period, but couldn’t solve Rhode Island's shorthanded group thanks to strong saves from goalie James Hunt. The netminder turned aside all 13 shots SU sent his way in the middle frame.

With the game still even through two periods, it felt as if the next goal would ultimately wind up being the game-winner. That ended up being the case. 2:04 into the third, Ryan Barlow beat SU goalie Aj Finta to give the Rams their first lead of the night. Still, despite the disheartening goal against, the Orange remained determined to draw even. 

SU’s attackers pelted Hunt with 11 shots over the final 20 minutes, firing the puck any chance they could as desperation mode fully set in. But the tally never came. Regardless, falling by just one goal to one of the ACHA’s top teams is something the Orange can certainly build off of in their next contest.

Syracuse returns home for the first time since Jan. 10 as it opens a four-game homestand with back-to-back clashes against Stony Brook on Saturday at 6 p.m. and Friday at 2 p.m. 

All home games are held at the Tennity Ice Pavilion on Syracuse University’s campus and are free for students and the general public. Home games are also streamed live on the SU Hockey Network.