Fitchburg State Downs Johnson and Wales, 5-2

Hutton registers his team-leading 15^th score of the season in Falcons victory

FITCHBURG, Mass. (February 11, 2009) - Junior Andrew Hutton (Brewster, Mass./Boston Harbor Wolves) netted two goals as Fitchburg State defeated Johnson and Wales University, 5-2 in ECAC Northeast action this evening.

Hutton added to his team-leading points total (25) with two scores in the match bringing his season total to a team-best 15 goals. Senior Bob Kaloustian (Marlborough, Mass./Suffolk) paced the Falcon attack with three assists, while classmate Matt Arsenault (Gardner, Mass./Gardner) added one score and one helper. Freshman Luke Van Asch (Coon Rapids, Minn./Cleveland) tallied both goals for Johnson and Wales.

Fitchburg State jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead midway through the first period as senior Aaron Tiernan (Anchorage, AK/Helena Bighorns) and Arsenault connected for back-to-back scores in a 0:12 span. Tiernan found the back of the net first with a solid shot to the top-shelf, while Arsenault found himself one-on-one with the Wildcats goalie for his seventh score of the season.

In the second period, Fitchburg State continued its offensive power, taking a 4-0 advantage at the break. Hutton ignited the Falcons scoring surge with a power-play goal at the 6:02 mark, while freshman Kris Threlkeld (Centerville, Ohio/CD Selects) notched his sixth goal of the season just four minutes later.

The Falcons continued its offensive explosion in the third frame as Hutton gave Fitchburg State a 5-0 lead with just 9:03 remaining in the game. Johnson and Wales cut the Falcon lead down to 5-2 as Van Asch recorded consecutive goals for the Wildcats, but Fitchburg State amped up its defense to secure its ninth victory of the season.

Fitchburg State out-shot Johnson and Wales 40-38 in the contest, including 20-7 in the second period. Sophomore goaltender Robert Vorse (Leominster, Mass./Bay State Breakers) earned his sixth victory of the season with 36 saves in net for the Falcons, while sophomore JR Woodland (Picton, Ontario/Wellington) totaled 35 stops for the Wildcats.

Fitchburg State (9-8-5, 6-5-3 ECAC NE) will be in action again on Saturday as it travels to Plymouth State College for a key ECAC Northeast match at 6 p.m. Johnson and Wales (8-10-2, 7-4-1 ECAC NE) will hit the ice again tomorrow as it hosts Western New England College at 6:50 p.m.

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 Fitchburg State 5, Johnson and Wales 2

Scoring:
1^st Period: FIT: Aaron Tiernan (John Coutts, Thomas McAleer), 14:40; FIT: Matt Arsenault (Bob Kaloustian, Christopher Brecken), 14:52;
2^nd Period: FIT: Andrew Hutton (Erik Trahan, Kaloustian), 6:02; FIT: Kris Threlkeld (Chris Riggs, Chris Carey), 10:57;
3^rd Period: FIT: Hutton (Arsenault, Kaloustian), 10:57; JWU: Luke Van Asch (Joe Simeone, Kyle Botos), 11:36; JWU: Van Asch (Simeone, Domenic Recchia), 19:08;
Goaltending: FIT: Robert Vorse (60:00), 36 saves; FIT: JR Woodland (60:00), 35 saves:
Shots on Goal: FIT 40: JWU: 38