URI Comes Up Short Against Rutgers in Shootout Loss
NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY—#23 URI traveled to New Jersey and took on #20 Rutgers University in this one, but fell short 4-3 taking the loss in the first of this two game series. With 11:00 left in the first, the Rams took the 1-0 lead thanks to an unassisted goal by Matt Kowash. The lead was not held for long with a Rutgers goal just 15 seconds later tying it up 1-1. With 7:41 left in the first, Jon Alsfeld scored with assists from Nate Bastian and Evan Rankin to retake the 1 goal lead. Two minutes later, Rutgers scored yet again to tie the game up 2-2. The Rams outshot Rutgers 17-9 in the first period of play.
Not much occurred in the second period. Many penalties were called and penalty kills were necessary throughout the entire period. At the end of the second, the shots were 24-22 in favor of the Rams and the game was tied up 2-2.
The third period was fairly quiet with solid hockey from both teams, but with 8:32 left in the third, Rutgers scored to regain their 3-2 lead. Around four minutes later, with 4:33 left in regulation, Will Schlichtig scored with an assist from Billy D’Amore to tie the game 3-3. This score would stay until the end of the third period, forcing overtime for the 5th time in 11 games. Neither team scored in overtime and a shootout was up next to determine the victory. Both goalies were phenomenal during the shootout, as Caleb Neal made some spectacular saves giving his team a fighting chance. On the fourth shot, Rutgers’ Griffen Privitera scored blocker side to win game 1. URI’s Caleb Neal played well and had 31 saves in the end.
