Falcons Fall to Leopards on Late Goal

Falcons Fall to Leopards on Late Goal

Boston, Mass. – The Fitchburg State ice hockey team dropped a heartbreaking 6-5 decision to Wentworth Institute of Technology, as the Leopards scored the game-winner with two seconds remaining in the game. 

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 5, Wentworth 6
Records: Fitchburg State (6-5-1) | Wentworth (5-8-1)

How It Happened

Fitchburg State junior Kevin Perry (Hull, Mass.) opened the game with his fourth goal of the season at 12:27, however the Leopards answered with a tally from freshman Guillaume Bose (San Jose, Calif.). Junior Joseph Miller (Marlton, NJ) gave the Green and Gold the lead after one frame with a late short-handed score.

Wentworth forged ahead 3-2 in the second period before freshman Rece Bergeman (Newark, Del) converted a pass from classmate Ryan Murphy (Wayzata, Minn.) to even the score. The hosts regained the lead with 1:30 on the clock with a score from sophomore Jake McKenelley (Middleton, Mass.) to take a 4-3 lead into the intermission.

Trailing 5-3 in the third period, Falcons' junior Brian Glover (Baldwinville, Mass.) notched his third goal of the season which was set up from senior Dean Zerby (Harrisburg, Penn.) and Joshua Miller (Saint Augustine, Fla.) at the 7:35 mark. Next Murphy poked home a power-play goal to knot the game at 5-5 with just under seven minutes remaining. Senior Nate Chase (Plainfield, Ill) converted the game-winner with two ticks on the clock, scoring on a pass from Adam Tracey (Sleepy Hollow, NY).

By the Numbers

• Wentworth held a 44-28 margin in shots
• Fitchburg State finished 1-for-5 with the man advantage, while Wentworth was 2-for-9 on the power-play
• Junior Brian McGrath (Worcester, Mass.) stopped 30 shots for the Falcons in 45 minutes of play, sophomore Christopher Mattone (New Windsor, NY) posted eight saves in relief.
• Sophomore Thomas Draper (Binghamton, NY) earned his fourth win of the season with 17 saves in 40 minutes of action for the Leopards.

Up Next

The Falcons travel to Plymouth State on Saturday evening to face the Panthers with a 7:00 pm puck-drop.