Posted: Oct 31, 2014
Becker Slips Past Falcons on Opening Night, 3-2
Becker
(1-0-0)
4
Fitchburg St.
(0-1-0)
2
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Becker (1-0-0) | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
|
Fitchburg St. (0-1-0) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
FITCHBURG, Mass. – Freshman forward Chistopher Aitcheson netted the game winning tally with eight minutes remaining in the second period as Becker College edged Fitchburg State ice hockey, 4-2 in the second game of the ICFCU Shootout this evening at the Wallace Civic Center.
Fitchburg State grabbed the early lead just 1:45 into the period as freshman CJ Mulieri found the back of the net for his first collegiate tally, using an assist from senior Nat Rojas for the 1-0 margin.
The Hawks quickly knotted the score 13 second later when newcomer MacGregor Howeyblasted a shot into the upper left corner of the net off an assist from sophomore Christopher Pantaleo for his first college tally to make the score 1-1 going into the first intermission.
In the second frame, Becker took the lead at the 6:30 mark as junior forward Tyler Auricchiocollected a pair of feeds from sophomore Connor Allison and junior Francis Musick and fired shot inside the near post for the 2-1 margin.
The Falcons retied the game (2-2) midway through the period when senior defenseman Craig Halpin blasted a slap shot into the upper left corner of the net for his first tally of the season, Classmate Sean Loebs assisted on the play. Before the visitors regained the lead two minutes later on Aitcheson's first collegiate score for the 3-2 advantage, going into the final period of play.
In the final stanza, the visitors sealed the victory at the 16:32 mark as sophomore Connor Merrick converted on the power-play off a feed from newcomer Corey Sherman, resulting in the 4-2 final.
Throughout the match, the shots were even at 30 aside, while the Falcons managed to kill off six of the seven Hawks power play opportunities. In between the pipes, senior Ryan Wysocki stopped 36 shots in the complete game effort for the Fitchburg State, while junior Gregg Hussey finished with 38 saves in 60 minutes of work for Becker.
Fitchburg State (0-1-0, 0-0-0 MASCAC) returns to action tomorrow at it hosts the Leopards of Wentworth in second round action of the ICFCU shootout at 4 p.m. Becker (1-0-0, 0-0-0 ECAC NE) will take on Worcester State tomorrow at 1:15 p.m.