While some teams may be rusty after going a year and a half without playing a game, the Seawolves appeared unaffected by their long layover this weekend against the Syracuse Orange. Stony Brook picked up right where it left off before the pandemic and exhibited the same dominance we have become accustomed to seeing from the team, lighting the lamp 16 times in a pair of 8-1 victories on Friday, October 1 and Saturday, October 2.
The No. 17 Seawolves scored early and often in the weekend series and have yet to trail a game in 2021-22. Senior forward Joseph Slevin opened the scoring in game one on Friday, but the first-line center did not stop there. Slevin fueled the team’s offense throughout the game and ended the night with four goals and an assist. He was not the only player to make an impact though, as junior defenseman Robert Distefano picked up a pair of goals along with tallies from senior defenseman Brendan Pepe and freshman forward Thomas Liebold. Sophomore goalie Matvei Kazakov turned away 18 of 19 shots faced to earn his first collegiate win and was credited with an assist on the game-winning goal.
Stony Brook’s game one dominance carried over into the rematch, with the team ultimately repeating its 8-1 victory from the previous day. Junior goalie Thomas Sullivan started in goal and earned his first victory with the team, having to stay sharp while experiencing long stretches without facing a shot against. The Seawolves’ defense held the Orange to just seven shots on goal in the game while firing 71 shots of their own. Seven players found the back of the net in the game with senior forward Charles Peck scoring twice and the rest of the goals coming from senior forward Michael Galinski, Distefano, junior forward Thomas O’Brien, freshman forward Sean Kendrick, junior defenseman Davin Van de Zilver, and junior defenseman Dominick Molfetto. All Seawolves captains scored at least three points throughout the weekend.
Stony Brook now turns its attention to its Home Opener against No. 18 Davenport University. The Seawolves will host the Panthers for two games on Saturday, October 9 at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, October 10 at 12:00 p.m. Game two will be Essential Workers Day, with all medical professionals, first responders, and other essential workers receiving free admission as a thank you for their hard work throughout the pandemic. All home games are played at The Rinx, 660 Terry Road, Hauppauge, NY 11788.
