Syracuse Falls to URI in Senior Night Series, Sets Sights on ESCHL Playoffs
- Maria Kaffes
- Mar 5
- 2 min read
By Isabella Cucci
Syracuse, N.Y. -- Syracuse fell short to the University of Rhode Island in a senior night series on Thursday and Friday. The Rams also got the best of Syracuse in their last meetings at Bradford Boss Arena, winning 5-3 and 4-2.
Starting between the pipes, Senior goalie Chris Spano played his 23rd career game. Early in the first period, Max Lockwood struck first for the Rams. Syracuse responded quickly, as forward Jack Wren fired a shot from the point, beating Rams goalie Callum Burgess, tying the game 1-1. As the period progressed, physical play escalated, leading to a roughing penalty on Syracuse defenseman Jake Brown. The Rams took advantage of the power play, with Zach Bell finding the back of the net off a feed from Jack Mackinnon, giving URI a 2-1 lead heading into the first intermission.
The second period began with Syracuse captain Sam Hutchinson heading to the box for a tripping penalty, but the Orange successfully killed it. Shortly after, Max Lockwood struck again, netting his second goal of the game to extend URI’s lead. Despite a nearly even shot count—17 for the Rams and 16 for the Orange—Syracuse couldn’t close the gap, heading into the third down by two.
Rams forward Cameron Cyr buried one early in the third, setting up a three-goal differential with an assist from linemate Nathan Marshall. In the final minutes, SU freshman Cam Gaffney found the back of the net, and the Orange pulled Spano for the extra attacker, but they couldn't close the gap, as URI secured a 5-2 victory.
Heading into the second game of the series, SU and URI came together to celebrate the eleven 2024-25 graduating seniors. The ceremony honored the players’ contributions to their teams, highlighting their dedication and impact throughout their collegiate careers.
“We just have to fight through and find ways to get chances. “ Evan Vassolaski said…“One of them is going to go through and we have to keep working”
Starting the first, URI started shorthanded as Marshall took an early tripping penalty, but the Rams successfully killed it off. The period remained tightly contested, with Syracuse bringing more intensity compared to the previous night. The Rams took one more penalty, but the Orange couldn't capitalize, ending 1-1.
Rolling into the second, URI’s Senior Kevin Kanaczet scored his eighth goal of the season, giving the Rams a 2-0 lead.
Early in the third, URI’s Kevin Kanaczet opened the period’s scoring, assisted by Marshall, to give the Rams a 2-0 lead. Syracuse quickly responded as defenseman Ryan Williams netted his second goal of the season, assisted by defense partner Connor Chesner, cutting the deficit to 2-1. A late penalty on URI’s Ethan Cordeiro for tripping gave Syracuse a key power play opportunity, but they were unable to capitalize. Despite outshooting URI 27-19, Syracuse couldn’t cut the gap as the Rams held on for the 2-1 win.
#5 Syracuse heads to Scranton for ESCHL Conference Playoffs, facing #4 Drexel this Friday at 4 PM. All home games are held at the Tennity Ice Pavilion on Syracuse University’s campus and are free for students and the general public. Home games are also streamed live on the SU Hockey Network.
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