PORTSMOUTH, R.I. – For the second time in three seasons and fourth time since 2000 the Wentworth hockey team has captured the ECAC Northeast Regular Season Championship. The Leopards, who won their eighth contest in a row, closed out the regular season with a 5-2 win over Salve Regina in a league contest played at the Portsmouth Abbey Rink.
Wentworth got the scoring started when senior Skylur Jameson (Long Beach, Calif.) and junior Reed Rushing (Seattle, Wash.) set up freshman Mike Domsodi (Kirkland, Que.) for an even-strength goal at the 6:21 mark of the opening period to give Wentworth the early lead.
The Seahawks answered right back, scoring less than a minute later when sophomore Chase Davis (Weathersford, Texas) found the back of the net to tie the game at 1-1.
Wentworth then took control of the game with three goals in the second frame, building a 4-1 advantage. Jameson put the Leopards ahead on a power play opportunity at the 3:39 mark, and was followed by even-strength tallies from senior Mike Paglino (Grosse Point Shores, Mich.) at 14:52 and sophomore Fred Gervasi (Mississauga, Ont.) at 16:09.
The Leopards essentially put the game away with a third-period score by freshman Kevin Crowe (Galloway, N.J.) to take a 5-1 lead with just under eight minutes remaining in the frame.
Senior Adam Barragan (Crownsville, Md.) pulled the Seahawks to within 5-2 on a power play goal at the 15:12 mark, assisted by juniors Mike Cenisio (Milan, Italy) and William Gomolinski (Western Springs, Ill.).
Freshman Alex Peck improved to 10-2-1 on the year, making 21 saves in the win. Junior Mike McDonald (Whitby, Ont.) made 33 saves in the loss. Wentworth held a 38-23 shot advantage, including a 16-4 advantage in the second period.
By virtue of the top seed, the Leopards (18-7-1, 11-2-1) earn a bye in the first round of the ECAC Northeast Tournament. The Black & Gold will host the lowest remaining seed after next weekend's games on Wednesday, February 29, at 8:00 p.m. Salve Regina finishes the season at 6-19-0 (2-12-0)
(Portions of this release courtesy of Salve Regina Sports Information)
