In their first intercollegiate hockey game since 1992, the Fighting Scots capped off Gordon's Homecoming festivities with a commanding 8-4 season-opening win against the visiting Rams of Suffolk University.

Apparently the absence had been felt, as nearly 300 alumni, friends, and family were in attendance for the Scots' historic return to ice.

The opening minutes of play were shaky for both sides with Gordon landing two in the box early on, but an effective penalty kill fought through the 5-on-3 to keep the score at nil. Shortly thereafter, senior captain Kyle Hayes (North Easton, Mass.) gave the Scots a lead they would not relinquish at the 3:46 mark after a set up from Nico Manganiello (Jr./Peabody, Mass.).

Seven minutes later, freshman right winger Jacob Hryzan (Lakeville, Mass.) ripped a shot past Suffolk goaltender, Goeff Scales, after receiving a cross-ice pass from Manganiello. The remainder of the period was filled with penalties, as both teams racked up a combined 14 minutes in the box in the final seven minutes. Despite the penalties, defenseman Gabe Zornik (Fr./Oviedo, Fla.) added another goal for the Scots before the period expired, while the Rams got their first of the night from Spencer Weeks in the waning seconds to make it 3-1 Scots.

Then, just 1:10 into the second frame, Hayes hit the back of the net again off assists from Zornik and Nick Palandjian (Jr./Belmont, Mass.) to extend Gordon's lead to three. Not interested in going down without a fight, the Rams' Michael Nolke managed to slip one past Gordon goaltender, Luke Tremblay (So./Arlington, Mass.), temporarily stalling Gordon's offense. After penalty troubles once again put the Scots at a 5-3 man disadvantage, Palandjian maneuvered around a line of Rams and got the offense rolling again, scoring the fifth Gordon goal of the night. Eight minutes later, he would tack on his second, while Zornik grew the lead to 7-2 before the second frame closed.

With a five-goal lead, the Scots successfully finished out the game in the final twenty, allowing a pair of goals but netting another of their own from freshman defensemen Holden Worth (Avon, Conn.) to secure the W.

The Scots are back in action on Saturday, October 8 as they play host to the University of New England, 8 p.m. at Bourque Arena.