Fitchburg State Soars Past Wentworth, 7-2

Saari and DiNicola lead Falcons to first win of the 2015 campaign

FITCHBURG, Mass.– Freshmen Michael Fretz, Nick DiNicola and Ricky Kramer combined for four goals and four assists as Fitchburg State defeated Wentworth 7-2 victory in second round action of the 2015 ICFU Shootout this evening at the Wallace Civic Center.

 "We really like this freshmen class. Frentz, DiNicola, Kramer can all play and Josh Victor has stepped in nicely on defense." said Dean Fuller, Fitchburg's head coach for the last 32 seasons.

Fitchburg State got on the score board early in the first period while on a man-advantage when Frentz netted his second goal of the season with a wrist shot assisted by Kramer and junior Cameron Snyder.

DiNicola doubled the Falcons lead (2-0) with 7:16 left in the period after he was set up by Victor and senior Paul Falanga, finding twine for his first goal in a Falcon uniform.

Late in the first period of play DiNicola got in on the action again, but this time centering his pass ahead to senior forward Ryan Connolly, who carried the puck into the attacking zone, firing a shot into the back of the net for the 3-0 advantage.

The Green and Gold, upped its lead with just three seconds left in the first frame as Frentz found the net for his second marker of the game coming off assists from Kramer and classmate Brandon Ecklund to make the score 4-0 after 20 minutes of play.

Wentworth cut the deficit to 4-1 midway through the second period as Angus Johnston deposited the puck into the back of the net for his first tally on the season before DiNicola connected on his second score of the contest to put the Falcons up 5-1 going into the final period of play.

In the third period, the hosts secured its first win on the season as Falanga buried a shot inside the near post for his first tally on the season off assists from DiNicola and Connolly for the 6-1 lead.

Throughout the contest, Wentworth held a 34-32 advantage in shots, while the Falcons finished 1-for-4 on the power play. In goal, freshman Kirby Saari turned aside 33 shots for Fitchburg State to earn his first collegiate victory, while sophomore Ryan Hubbard made 20 saves for the Leopards in 44 minutes of action.

"We wanted to see what Saari could do." said Fuller on the decision to start Saari in net, "he played at a high-level in the Eastern Hockey League and we knew Wentworth was a good team" he continued.

With the victory, Fitchburg State was crowned the 2015 ICFCU Tournament Champions, collecting four total points on the weekend, claiming the title via a goal differential tie breaker. Each team was awarded one point for each period won in addition to two points for each victory and one point for each tie.

The Green and Gold (1-1-0, 0-0-0 MASCAAC) return to the ice on November 3^rd hosting New England College for the only time this season. Wentworth (1-1-0, 0-0-0 GNAC) will open their home schedule November 5^th as they will take on Curry College.

 Release Courtesy of Fitchburg State Student Journalist Kyle Prudhomme

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2015-16 IC Federal Credit Union Final Standings

1. Fitchburg State (1-1-0)    4 points (Wins ICFCU Shootout via goal differential)
2. Wentworth (1-1-0)          4 points
3. Worcester State (1-1-0)  4 points
4. Southern Me (1-1-0)       4 points

2015-16 IC Federal Credit Union All-Tournament Team

FIT       freshman         F         Michael Fretz 

USM      senior             F         Zach Dymock

WIT      sophomore      F         Jake McDounough

FIT       freshman         F         Nikc DiNicola

WIT      sophomore      D         Ryan Sullivan

WOR    sophomore       D         Alex Pommerville

FIT       freshman         G         Kirby Saari  MVP