Stony Brook was unable to steal a win on the road against Liberty this weekend, getting swept in its two-game set in Lynchburg, Virginia.
The Seawolves’ first game against the Flames was tightly contested in the opening two periods of play and the beginning of the third, but a late scoring spree boosted Liberty to a 7-3 victory.
Stony Brook tied the game on two separate occasions, but never managed to take a lead of its own in the game. After going down 1-0 five minutes into the game, freshman forward Devin Pepe cashed in on a power play to tie the game late in the first. It appeared the tie would hold until the first intermission, but with five seconds remaining the Flames regained a 2-1 lead.
Another goal in the second period increased Liberty’s lead to 3-1, but a 5-on-3 power play to start the third period gave Stony Brook a chance to even the score. Just as the first penalty expired, junior forward Chuckie Peck scored to bring the Seawolves within one. Then moments later, junior forward Aiden Boehm tipped in a shot from the point to tie the game 3-3. The tied score only lasted a few minutes, however, as Liberty would go on to score four more before the end of regulation.
Special teams were a bright spot for the Seawolves in the game. The power play converted on two of its four opportunities. while the penalty kill held Liberty scoreless in three chances with the man advantage.
Saturday night’s game was a low-scoring affair and close from start to finish. Liberty opened the scoring in the first period to take a 1-0 lead just over seven minutes in, but neither team was able to light the lamp again until the third period.
Less than a minute into the third period, the Flames converted on a power play to push their lead to 2-0. The Seawolves did not allow the two-goal deficit to deter them, and junior defenseman Brendan Pepe brought the team within one with 14:29 left in regulation. Stony Brook applied good pressure throughout the remainder of regulation, but ultimately the team was unable to find an equalizer, dropping its third straight game by a 2-1 final score.
The contest was defined by stellar goaltending at both ends of the ice. Senior goalie Robby Lockwood made 36 saves on 38 shots, setting a new career-record with the Seawolves.
Stony Brook returns to home ice next Saturday, 11/9 at 8:30 p.m. when it hosts No. 1 Adrian. All home games are played at The Rinx: 660 Terry Road, Hauppauge, NY 11788.
