Canton, MA - The Curry Men's Hockey team defeated Suffolk on Saturday in the CNE semifinals by a final score of 4-2. With the win, the Colonels move to 23-3-0 on the season, and extend a nation long win streak to 15. Suffolk ends their season at 13-11-3.

The Colonels got out to a quick lead when Karim Gayfullin scored just six minute into the game. He would then add a second goal four minutes later, deflecting a shot by Shane Carr. The Rams would get one goal back with a minute left in the period.

The Colonels would get that goal back 100 seconds into the second period on a weird play. A scrum in front of the net knocked the Rams goalie down, leaving the net open for Gage Dill. Gayfullin would then complete the hat trick towards the end of the period, scoring his 10th goal of the season on assists from Manny Cabral and Matt Connor. That would be the last goal until the Rams scored on a 6-4 advantage with three minutes left in the game. They would keep their goalie pulled the rest of the way, and despite Gayfullin just missing on an attempt at another goal, the final score would be 4-2.

Shane Soderwall was his usual self in net, stopping 16 shots for his 22nd win on the season.

Eelis Laaksonen, in addition to an assist, tied Brian Doherty '05 and Ryan Barlock '12 for most games played in program history with 109.

With his hat trick, Gayfullin becomes just the fifth player in program history to record a hat trick in a playoff game since 1995, and the first since 2010.

Up Next - The Colonels advance to the CNE Championship, to be held next Saturday against Endicott at 3pm.