CHARLESTOWN, Mass. – Sophomore Joe Collins (Mansfield, Mass.) scored two goals for the Southern New Hampshire University ice hockey team to lift it past Suffolk University in a 3-1 non-league victory Tuesday evening. The Penmen improve to 7-1-0 overall, while the Rams are now 3-3-1.

The win marks the team's seventh straight, a program-best since the 2000-01 season.

The teams traded goals in the first period as Suffolk scored halfway through to give the Rams a 1-0 advantage at the 11:51 mark. However, the Penmen quickly answered with an equalizer as Collins upped his season goal total to 10, scoring a power play goal a minute-and-a-half later from Jim Gabrione (Boca Raton, Fla.).

The teams remained tied at one goal apiece through the second frame.

SNHU pulled away in the third period as Collins notched the game winner just 3:30 in from Dane Caracino (Belmont, Mass.), and Steven Berry (Ashburn, Va.) secured the win with his fourth goal of the season from Jay Sylvia (Acushnet, Mass.) and Gabrione to give the visitors a 3-1 lead.

Tyler Holske (Attleboro, Mass.) earned the win in net for SNHU while saving 22 shots. Brandon Smolarek saved 29 shots for the Rams.  The Penmen outshot Suffolk 32-23, and were able to capitalize on 1-3 power play opportunities.

Southern New Hampshire returns to action Saturday, November 30 when they host the annual Manchester PAL/Stovepipe Tournament. UMass Boston and Johnson & Wales will face-off at 1:30 pm, with the Penmen following at 4:30 in a non-league game against University of New England. The championship game is set for Sunday at a time to be announced.

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