Kolovos Nets OT Game Winner as Hockey Defeats Suffolk

George Kolovos scored 1:47 into the extra frame and Topher Cherico recorded his first collegiate shutout in the 1-0 win

Photo by Gabriella Walazek '28
Photo by Gabriella Walazek '28
November 8, 2024

EAST BOSTON, Mass. – George Kolovos picked the perfect time to score his first collegiate goal as he found the back of the net at the 1:47 mark of overtime to lift the Wentworth Institute of Technology ice hockey team to a 1-0 win over Suffolk in the Conference of New England opener for both squads.

With the win, the Leopards improve to 2-1 overall (1-0), while the Rams drop to 1-1 (0-1).

HOW IT HAPPENED:

  • After Suffolk had a pair of scoring chances early, Wentworth put three straight shots on net, with two coming from Alex Alicki. The Rams had their best chance around four minutes in which a shot attempt hit the post. Suffolk had a 16-7 shot advantage in the frame, with Topher Cherico making 16 stops.
  • The Leopards carried play early in the second period and had a great second-chance opportunity when Gavin Klaasen had a shot blocked and put the rebound on net. However, his bid was saved by CJ Hapward. Cherico and Hapward kept the game scoreless, making 11 and seven saves, respectively, in the middle period.
  • Wentworth continued to pressure Suffolk in the third period, in hopes of breaking the stalemate. However, with 1:03 left, the Leopards were called for a tripping penalty, putting the Rams on the power play. After winning the ensuing faceoff, a shot attempt was blocked by Dane Probe and another attempt went wide just before the end of the period.
  • Suffolk nearly won the game early in overtime when a shot clanged off the post, and shortly after the penalty expired, put a shot on net that was saved by Cherico.
  • Kolovos broke up a pass just inside the Rams offensive zone and flipped the puck to Alex Walicki. Walicki found Kolovos going up the middle of the ice and fed him a pass. Kolovos beat Hapward inside the right post to give Wentworth the extra point in the standings.
  • Cherico recorded his first collegiate shutout, making 37 saves. Hapward made 23 saves. Neither team converted a power-play opportunity with the Leopards going 0-for-3 and the Rams going o-for-6.

ALL-TIME SERIES:

  • Tonight marked the 47th all-time meeting between the two crosstown rivals. Wentworth holds a 25-19-3 advantage.

NEXT UP:

  • The two teams complete their home-and-home series tomorrow afternoon in Everett, Mass.

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