Falcons Fall to Ravens, 5-3

 Falcons Fall to Ravens, 5-3

Fitchburg, Mass. – Franklin Pierce University scored four unanswered goals to power past Fitchburg State University 5-3 in men's ice hockey non-conference action at Wallace Civic Center Tuesday night.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State University 3, Franklin Pierce University 5
Records: Fitchburg State (2-1-1) | Franklin Pierce University (1-2)

How It Happened
The Falcons held an early lead 9:11 into the contest as freshman Sascha Figi (Kloten, Switzerland) tipped a Ricky Kramer (Barnstead, NH) blast from the point, past the Ravens netminder Austin Christopher (Winthrop, Maine) for a power-play goal. Less than a minute later Franklin Pierce knotted the score when sophomore Alex Lester (Methuen, Mass.) converted an opportunity created by James Morrissey (West Haven, Conn.) for his third goal of the season.

The Green and Gold continued their season-long stellar play on the penalty kill, when senior Corey Hayashi (Toronto, Ontario), taking a pass down the left wing from Kramer, wristed the puck top shelf for the 2-1 lead.

After the first intermission, Fitchburg State pushed the lead to 3-1. Junior Nick DiNicola (Wolcott, Conn.) converted a saucer pass from sophomore Christopher Vicario (Cranston, RI) just 1:23 into the frame for the two-goal advantage. Franklin Pierce cut the lead again when senior Blake Manginell (Troy, Mich.) found teammate Shepherd Stahel (Plano, Tx.) midway through the second stanza.

Franklin Pierce notched three goals in the third period. FPU playing 6-on-5 with a delayed penalty waiting to be called, received a Jonathan Haun (Buffalo, NY) score at 7:58 to even the score. Next Johnathan Busolin (Goose Creek, SC) scored as the ensuing power-play ended to complete the comeback and the Ravens added empty net score sealed the game 5-3.

Inside the Numbers

FPU netminder Christopher, made 27 saves for the victory and was credited with the empty net goal.

Facons' Kirby Saari (Cape Elizabeth, ME) posted 26 saves in the loss.

Fitchburg was 1-for-7 on the power-play, while the visitors were 0-for-4 with the man-advantage.

Kramer (2 assists) and DiNicola (goal, assist) led the Falcons with two points each.

Figi is the reigning MASCAC Rookie of the Week.

15th meeting between two schools on the ice with the Falcons 14-1-0 all-time when taking on the Ravens.

Up Next

Fitchburg returns to action on Thursday as they travel to Plymouth State University for a 6pm puck-drop. Franklin Pierce host Saint Michael's College on Saturday at 5pm.