Former St. Louis Jr. Blues forward Nick Saracino notched his 100th career point with the #1 ranked Providence Friars on Thursday night during their 4-1 win over Brown. The win extended the Friars unbeaten streak to 19, dating back to last season. According to the teams website:
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The No. 1 Providence College men's hockey team got points from 11 different players en route to a 4-1 victory over Brown in game one of the Mayor's Cup on Thursday night at Schneider Arena.
Providence remains unbeaten in its last 19 games dating back to last season (16-0-3) and now are tied for the eighth longest unbeaten streak to begin a season since 1970 (12-0-3). Brown drops to 2-7-3 with the loss as Tyler Steel made 32 saves for the visiting Bears. Nick Ellis repelled Bears attack in the early third with some stellar saves to improve to 11-0-3 overall this season. The junior turned away 22 shots overall on the night.
Steven McParland got things started for the Friars late in the first period as he blasted home Tom Parisi's drop pass at the top of the circle that went over the glove of Steel at 18:05. The goal was McParland's first of the season with assists to Parisi and Kevin Rooney.
The first period finished with the Friars leading, 1-0, while also holding the advantage in shots (14-5). Ellis made five saves for the Friars.
Despite holding an 18-5 edge in shots minutes into the second period, Brown was opportunistic and knotted the game at the 8:36 mark thanks to a steal by Max Gottlieb and a putback by Nick Lappin.
The assists were credited to Zack Pryzbek and Max Gottlieb after he forced a turnover and rushed up the ice, allowing Lappin to hammer home the rebound on a loose puck in the crease.
The Friars pulled ahead 13:38 into the second, with a goal from East Providence native Bryan Lemos. Junior Kyle McKenzie dished the puck to Anthony Florentino, who sent a blast from the point that was re-directed by Lemos, who was screening Steel at the top of the crease. The goal was the first of Lemos' collegiate career.
With a one-goal cushion late, Mark Jankowski gave the Friars some insurance with his eighth goal of the season at 17:06. Freshman Steve Ruggiero notched his first career assist on the play as he wrapped the puck around the boards, where Nick Saracino chipped it out to Jankowski. The senior sped through the neutral zone and fired a quick snap shot that beat Steel over the glove to put Providence up 3-1. The assist gave Saracino his 100th career point and he became the 50th Friar to reach the century club for points in his career. He finished the night with two assists for the team lead of 13 in that category.
At the 19:07 mark, Brown pulled Steel for the extra attacker, but Brandon Tanev sealed the game with a whirl-around shot into the empty net from the half wall for his fifth strike of the season.
Up next, the Friars return to action on Dec. 28 at the Florida College Hockey Classic in Estero, Fla. Providence will open with Cornell on the 28th before playing either Boston College or Ohio State the following evening at Germain Arena.
