Last weekend was massive for the University of Rhode Island’s Men Club Hockey team as the Rams took on ACHA rivals Duquesne University in back to back games on Friday November, 15th and Saturday the 16th. 

With Friday being URI’s Greek Night and the Philanthropy week kickoff, Boss Arena was packed by the 7 p.m. puck drop, with some of the biggest attendance the arena has seen in the last decade. The energy that the students and fans brought to the game on Friday night provided the Rams with a boost of confidence in their 6-3 win over Duquesne. Seniors Kevin Kanaczet and Jack Drohen fed off the crowd in the first period and both scored a goal to put the Rams up 2-0 going into the first intermission. The momentum stayed in the Rams favor in the second period, tacking on two more goals. Junior forward Jake MacKinnon and Freshman forward Aidan Darlington scored the goals for Rhody hockey. Duquesne got on the board late in the second period making the score 4-1 going into the third period. 

During the second intermission, the Greek life philanthropy week kick-off took place with a Chuck a Puck event. After the intermission festivities, the Rams were ready to close out a big win against the Dukes. Jack MacKinnon and Aidan Darlington stayed hot in the third period both notching their second goals of the game. Duquesne showed some fight in the chippy third period, scoring two goals of their own bringing the final score to 6-3, Rams win. 

Despite less fan presence at the game, the Saturday matchup was pivotal for both teams. A Rams win would bring the team back to .500 on the season with a 7-7-2 record. A loss for the Dukes would bring them down to .500 with a 8-8-1 record. The 4 p.m. game on Saturday saw a goal from both teams in the first period. Duquesne struck first early in the period and was matched by URI Junior Forward Corey Szabo with a goal late in the period. The second period saw Duquesne strike first as well, with a goal early in the second putting them up 2-1. URI forwards Zach Bell and Chase Gaudioso took advantage of the power play, both scoring in the second. These two goals put Rhody hockey back on top going into the third. After the Dukes scored the lone goal in the third this highly contested game went to overtime. Jack MacKinnon wasn’t satisfied with his two goals from the night before and won it for the Rams in overtime. The game winning clean up goal from the Junior forward sparked some pushing and shoving between the two competitive teams. 

The action packed weekend was a success for the URI Men’s Club Hockey team. Tacking on two big wins to the record before they travel to Chicago, Illinois next weekend for the Chicago Showcase. Much needed momentum before their matchups against Roosevelt University, Alabama University, and The University of Mary this weekend. The teams entire season schedule is linked here.