Fitchburg State Downs Plymouth State, 4-1

Riggs post three points in Falcons key MASCAC victory

PLYMOUTH, N.H. (January 29, 2011) –  Junior Cory Callen (Annandale, N.J./Oswego State) and sophomore Curtis Nikitas (Fitchburg, Mass./Saint Bernards) scored goals less than two minutes apart early in the third period Saturday night, breaking a 1-1 deadlock and sending Fitchburg State to a 4-1 victory over Plymouth State in MASCAC action.

CHRIS RIGGS

Senior Chris Riggs (Sewell, N.J./Fort Vancouver Pioneers) tallied two goals for the Falcons, a power play marker in the first period that tied the score at 1-1, and a game-clinching empty-netter in the final minute. Fitchburg State extended its unbeaten streak to five games (4-0-1) and improves to 13-4-1 overall and 7-3-1 in the MASCAC, putting the Falcons in a three-way tie for first place with PSU and UMass Dartmouth.

Both teams scored in the first six minutes of the game. Senior Andrew Stewart (O’Leary, P.E.I.) put the Panthers on the board first, taking a pass in the slot from classmate Sean Buckley (Sagamore Beach, Mass.) and getting two shots off. The first target was stopped, but Stewart knocked the rebound in out of midair at 1:46 for the first goal of the game. Riggs answered for the Falcons, scoring a power play goal at 5:52 to tie the game.

After a scoreless second period, Fitchburg State broke the deadlock early in the third when PSU turned the puck over in its own end and the Falcons capitalized. Callen finished off the play after some strong moves by Riggs and junior Kris Threlkeld (Centerville, Ohio/CD Selects), who assisted on the play. Fitchburg State extended the margin less than two minutes later when Nikitas slid one through the goalie’s legs for a two-goal advantage.

The Falcons finished with a 33-31 advantage in shots on goal, while converting one-power play attempts. Junior Bobby Leiser (Monroe, N.Y./New York Applecore) recorded the victory in goal for the Falcons, making 30 saves, while sophomore goaltender Jack Astedt (Angelholm, Sweden) took the loss in the Panther net, making 29 stops.

Fitchburg State (13-4-1, 7-3-1 MASCAC) will hit the ice again on Thursday as it travels to UMass Dartmouth at 7:30 p.m. Plymouth State (11-2-5, 6-2-3) will travel to Westfield State University on Saturday at 7:35 p.m.

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Fitchburg State 4, Plymouth State 1

Scoring:
1st Period: PSU: Andrew Stewart (Sean Buckley, Sean Foley), 1:46; FIT: Chris Riggs (Thomas McAleer, Erik Trahan), 5:52;
2nd Period: none
3rd Period: FIT: Cory Callen (Riggs, Kris Threlkeld), 1:50; FIT: Curtis Nikitas (Spencer Syvertson, James Mosso), 3:37; FIT: Riggs (Travis Bertolotti, Callen), 19:07;
Goaltending: FIT: Bobby Leiser (60:00), 30 saves; PSU: Jack Astedt (60:00), 29 saves;
Shots On Goal: FIT: 33; PSU: 31