Falcons Clip Hawks, 5-2

Hillick nets two goals in non-conference victory

Worcester, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University ice hockey team edged the Hawks of Becker College, 5-2 this evening in opening round action of the 2018 Steve Hoar Memorial Tournament at the Worcester Ice Arena.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 5, Becker 2
Records: Fitchburg State (3-3-2) | Becker (0-9-1)

How It Happened

In the first period, Fitchburg State grabbed the lead 4:39 into the frame as junior Kyle Hillick (Byfield, Mass.) collected a feed from classmate Dean Zerby (Harrisburg, Penn.) and senior Ricky Kramer (Barnstead, N.H.) and found the back of the net for his third goal on the season for the 1-0 margin.

Becker knotted the score (1-1) midway through the period when freshman James Perry (Atkinson, N.H.) wristed a shot inside the near post for his second tally of the year on an assist by senior Corey Schafer).

The Falcons quickly broke the 1-1 stalemate just seven seconds into the second stanza as sophomore Sascha Figi (Kloten, Switzerland) settled a pass from senior Nick DiNicola (Wolcott, Conn.) and one timed a shot into the lower right corner for his team-leading sixth score of the 2018-19 campaign for the 2-1 edge.

The Green and Gold upped its advantage minutes later as DiNicola connected on his third marker of the season off a feed from newcomer Jordin Holmes (Willow Grove, Penn.) to make the score 3-1 before the Hawks answered back Zachary Bettmeng (Sioux Falls, S.D.) netted his fourth score of the year to cut the lead to 3-2.

In the third period, Fitchburg State secured the victory with just over two minutes remaining in regulation when junior Joshua Suboyu (Bradley Beach, N.J.) notched an empty netter for this first goal of the season, resulting in the 5-2 final.

By the Numbers

• DiNicola registered a game-best four shots for Fitchburg State
• 12th meeting between two schools with Falcons 6-5-1 all-time vs the Hawks
• Fitchburg State held a 46-36 margin in shots
• Becker finished 0-for-3 with the man advantage
• Sophomore Brian McGrath (Worcester, Mass.) made 34 saves for the Falcons
• Junior Grant Martens (Bloomington, Minn.) stopped 41 shots for the Hawks

Up Next

Falcons will take on the Ravens of Franklin Pierce University tomorrow in the championship game of the 2018 Steve Hoar Memorial Invitation at 4:00 PM. Hawks with battle the Seahawks of Stonehill College tomorrow as well in the consolation game at 1:00 PM.