Falcons Blank Panther in MASCAC Clash

Fitchburg, Mass. – Senior goaltender Brian McGrath (Worcester, Mass.) made 51 saves to propel the Fitchburg State ice hockey team to a 4-0 victory over the Panthers of Plymouth State University in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action this evening at the Wallace Civic Center.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 4, Plymouth State 0
Records: Fitchburg State (7-4, 5-2 MASCAC) |Plymouth State (8-4-1, 5-1-1 MASCAC)

How It Happened 

The Falcons netted the only goal of the first period when freshman Oliver Cookson (Sheffield, Mass.) corralled the rebound off of Panthers netminder Brendahan Brawley (Morton, Penn.) for his second goal of the season. Sophomore Cole Archambeault (Leominster, Mass.) had the assist on the tally. 

The Green and Gold doubled the margin (2-0) in the second frame. Junior Hunter Fortin (Westerville, Ohio) notched his eighth goal of the season with a terrific individual play, as he drove across the front of the net and tucked the puck back inside the far post. 

Fitchburg State's Cookson potted his second goal of the game, from Archambeault and Trent Shanley (Hillsdale, NJ) at 10:09 of the third period to extend the lead (3-0). Junior Egan Wolford (San Jose, Calif) added an empty-net score for the 4-0 final. 

Inside the Numbers

• Cookson had 2 goals for the Falcons, while Archambeault added two helpers
• Both teams were 0-for-5 with the man-advantage
• Ted Austin and JR Barone led the Panthers, each with 5 shots on goal
• McGrath earned his eighth shutout of his career
• Brawley made 36 saves in the loss for the Panthers

Up Next

The Falcons will travel to Salem State on Thursday night for a match-up with the Vikings starting at 7:00 PM.