Assumption Slips Past Fitchburg State, 4-3

Fretz registers one goal and two assists for Falcons in non-conference setback

FITCHBURG, Mass. – Senior forward Brandon Bete scored a pair of goals and assisted on another as the visiting Assumption College Greyhounds defeated Fitchburg State University, 4-3 in non-conference ice hockey action this evening at the Wallace Civic Center.

The Green and Gold opened the scoring late in the first period when freshman forward Michael Fretz tallied his sixth goal of the season, gathering a feed from senior John Celli and newcomer Ricky Kramer following an Assumption penalty and one timed a shot inside the far post for the 1-0 advantage after one period of play.

Following the first intermission, Assumption got the equalizing goal (1-1) at the 4:36 mark when junior forward Ryan Gomez collected a rebounding puck in front of net and wristed a shot into the left side of the net for his fifth marker of the season. 

The Greyhound grabbed the lead with just under six minutes remaining in the middle stanza, converting a five on three power-play opportunity as sophomore Tommy Mahoney unloaded a wrist shot from left of the net off an assist from senior Pat Trainor for his fifth goal of the season for the 2-1 margin, going into the final period of play.

The visitors cushioned their lead just 29 seconds into the third period as Bete carried the puck to the front and deposited the puck into the back of the net for his team-leading 11th goal of the season for the 3-1 lead.

Fitchburg State responded, taking advantage of an Assumption penalty as freshman Nick DiNicola scored his fourth of the season on the power play after collecting a loose puck on the right side of the net off a shot by Fretz, pulling the Falcons within one (3-2). 

Moments later the Green and Gold knotted the score (3-3) with just over six minutes left in regulation when senior Ryan Connolly rifled a shot into the right side of the net for his sixth score on the year on feeds from DiNicola and Fretz.

With just 1:04 left in the game Assumption netted the game winner as the Bete snapped his shot on net following a feed from sophomore Brian Farrell in the front of the net, resulting in the 4-3 final.

Throughout the contest, Fitchburg State held a 39-30 advantage in shots, while the Greyhounds finished 3-for-8 with the man advantage. In goal, freshman Kirby Saari stopped 26 of the 30 shots he faced in 59:13 minutes of action, while junior Nick Commesso made 36 saves for Assumption in the complete game effort.

Fitchburg State (5-7-1, 2-3-1 MASCAC) returns to action on Saturday as it hosts the Rams of Framingham State University for a contest starting at 4 p.m. Assumption (5-6-2, 1-3-0 NE-10) will host Western New England University on Thursday at 7:35 p.m.

Release courtesy of Fitchburg State student journalist Kyle Prudhomme

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