URI sweeps Drexel

02/27/09 - With the regular season coming to an end, the University of Rhode Island men's ice hockey team swept Drexel University last weekend, 6-4 and 4-2. The Rams seemed to have the offense click at the right time by scoring 10 goals in the two games against Drexel.

"Our focus over the weekend was to get a lot of shots to the net," said Rigamonti. "We did a good job getting rebounds and creating opportunities."

URI got on the board early during Friday's matchup. Senior Mike Bragger scored his eighth goal of the season at 15:11 in the first period.

The Dragons retaliated with a goal of their own at 6:35 when Andrew Surwick scored. Andrew Lawrie scored with only 16 seconds left in the first period, putting Drexel up by one.

Sophomore Peter Ducharme provided URI with the equalizer in the second period at 16:36, his seventh goal of the season.

With the score tied at two, URI took the lead for the second time in the game when senior captain Cory Manley scored at 11:43.

The third period seemed to start off well for the Dragons when they tied the game with each team at three goals after Alex Cohen scored at 19:02 in the period. It was Cohen's fourth point of the game; he had one goal and three assists.

Shortly after Drexel's game-tying goal, URI freshman forward John Lessard scored his second goal of the season at 17:05. Drexel yet again tied the score at 9:38 in the period.

With the score tied at four, senior Ben Harring scored the game-winning goal with 3:18 left in the game, and at four seconds left in the game, freshman Richie Falasca put the finishing touches on URI's win with his fourth goal of the season.

After Saturday's loss, Drexel started off the game ahead with their first period goal at 19:45. Manley answered Drexel's goal and tied the game up with his goal at 12:40.

After Drexel's early goal, the game belonged to Rhode Island. The team scored four unanswered goals. Bragger, Ducharme, and freshman Evan Dietz all scored in the second period to give the Rams a 4-1 lead.

Drexel scored at 14:18 in the third period trying to spark a comeback, but URI's junior goaltender Andrew Lisi stopped 25 out of the 27 shots coming his way.

The Rams will enter the Eastern States Collegiate Hockey League Playoffs looking to continue their recent success after a nine-game winning streak.

"The team is riding high after winning nine [games] in a row, but Delaware is a top ranked opponent that can not be taken lightly," said assistant coach Christian Rigamonti. "Every game remaining will be hard fought."

"Our success this post season is dependant on skating and keeping our feet moving," added Rigamonti. "If we do that, we will do well. If we don't, it will be a short post season for us."

Even though it seems the Rams season has been taxing on the team, Rigamonti said the team is confident with their 23-9-1 record.

"Every team at this point of the season is banged up, tired and looking for that extra ounce in order to produce," Rigamonti said. "The season is all about the post season. Our success is based on how we do this weekend and in Cleveland at Nationals. Regardless of ailments, this team has to be ready.