The Michigan Dearborn Wolverines showed why they’re ranked No. 2 in the nation this past weekend, sweeping the Seawolves in a two-game set at The Rinx.
Though the Seawolves matched pace with the Wolverines for a majority of Saturday, Nov. 17’s game, the visitors dominated on the scoreboard, scoring four times and leading 40-24 in shots on goal. Senior forward Tyler Groat broke the ice just over 15 minutes into the opening frame and later added another goal in the second for a 2-0 Michigan Dearborn lead. The Wolverines struck twice in the third period to advance their lead to 4-0 but freshman forward Dustin Rinaldo put Stony Brook on the board with 1:07 to go in regulation, spoiling junior goalie Thomas Proudlock’s shutout bid for a 4-1 final score.
The Wolverines picked up where they left off the night before in Sunday afternoon’s matchup. Despite a solid effort, the Seawolves went into the first intermission down by a goal and trailing 12-10 in shots. Hard work began to pay off in the second period, however. Just seconds after a power play expired, sophomore forward Joey Slevin found the back of the cage to tie the game up at 1-1. Stony Brook was awarded another power play opportunity around the midway point of the period and made it count, with senior defenseman Frank Coscia scoring to give the Seawolves their first lead of the weekend.
The game remained 2-1 through the end of the second and the opening eight minutes of the third, but Michigan Dearborn junior forward Zach Nichols eventually broke through to even score. Less than a minute later senior forward Kevin Bechard put the Wolverines back on top with his ninth goal of the season and second of the weekend and Groat put the game on ice with a power play goal in the final minute of regulation.
Third period woes were a common factor in both games. Stony Brook conceded a combined five goals in the final periods of the games, two more than in the other four periods. Michigan Dearborn also edged Stony Brook in third period shots on goal in the series, sending 31 shots toward junior goalie Richard Shipman.
Stony Brook will return to the ice with a pair of home games against the University of Delaware Blue Hens on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 8:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 2 at 3:30. Come down and support your Seawolves in their final home games of 2018.
All home games are played at The Rinx in Hauppauge, 660 Terry Road.
