By Jack DiNapoli
SYRACUSE, NY – The weekend series against Drexel University marked a milestone for two key players in the Syracuse hockey program. The Orange split the series, dropping the opener 8-7 in a shootout before bouncing back with a hard-fought 4-3 victory in game 2. Friday night saw captain Sam Hutchinson reach his 100th career game, while forward Evan Vassilovski hit the same milestone on Saturday.
"It’s crazy to think they are both at 100 games and have been here since my start at Syracuse," Orange head coach Chris Timmons said. "Both have been staples of the program and have helped it get to where it is today."
Despite celebrating Hutchinson’s milestone, Cuse couldn’t come away with a win on Friday night. Drexel struck first just over three minutes into the game when Ryan Sambuco found the back of the net. However, the Orange responded quickly, with Ryan Thomas scoring his eighth goal of the season — just 26 seconds later — assisted by Hutchinson and Brock Alvers.
Drexel regained the lead on the power play at 6:37 of the first period, with Pietro Baccarin converting off a Matt Harris assist. Syracuse tied it early in the second period when Sean Caddo scored his first goal, but Drexel responded 24 seconds later through Benjamin Birkhahn. The Orange continued to push back, with Jack Alecia scoring unassisted at 3:36 to even the game at 3-3.
Drexel’s power play struck again at 6:22 of the second period, with Baccarin netting his second goal of the night. Syracuse answered at 14:07 when Eli Pendergrass scored off an Anthony Larkin faceoff win. Larkin then gave the Orange their first lead of the game at 17:18 of the second period.
Alvers put Syracuse up with a 7-5 seven minutes into the third, but Drexel clawed back with goals from Jimmy Jacobs and Evan Mudrick to tie the contest up and eventually force overtime. The game remained deadlocked through the extra frame, leading to a shootout. After Hutchinson and Alecia couldn’t connect on their attempts, Ryan Sambuco sealed the win for Drexel with the lone shootout goal.
On Saturday, another skater reached a similar milestone. Evan Vassilovski reached his 100th career matchup and celebrated with an exciting Orange victory. Drexel got on the board first with 2 powerplay goals at 12:25 and 17:47 of the first period. The Dragons held on to the 2-0 lead into the first intermission.
"We hope to make a good push towards the end and finish strong in the playoffs for these guys, so they can wrap up their careers on a high note," Timmons said.
Alvers got Syracuse on the board 7 minutes into the second period after he beat Drexel's Ryan Nocerino - the ESCHL 2023-24 All-Rookie goaltender. However, Drexel's Jimmy Jacobs scored just 30 seconds later to give the Dragons their 2 goal lead right back.
Syracuse continued to fight back, as Ryan Thomas notched a goal with just 10 seconds left in the second to cut the lead to 3-2. Brendan Duffy then tied the game up with a goal just over 5 minutes into the third period. Ryan Thomas then scored his third goal of the weekend and second of the day with wrist shot from just inside the blue line that hit the back of the net as time expired. Thomas's 8th goal of the season gave Syracuse the 4-3 win and 2 important ESCHL points.
With the regular season winding down, the Orange will return home next weekend for a matchup against Oswego. Friday Military Appreciation Night will be at Tennity Ice Pavilion at 7 p.m., while Saturday’s game will take place at the Deborah F. Stanley Arena, at 7 p.m..
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.
Contact me:
X: @jackdinap
Email: jodinapo@syr.edu
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