Franklin Pierce Slips Past Men’s Hockey, 4-3, in OT

Franklin Pierce Slips Past Men’s Hockey, 4-3, in OT

CHARLESTOWN, Mass. – Sophomore Alex Lester put away the game-winner just 22 seconds in to overtime to lift Franklin Pierce over the Suffolk men's hockey team in non-conference play Saturday night in a frigid Emmons Horrigan O'Neil Memorial Rink. 

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 3, Franklin Pierce 4
RECORDS: Suffolk (6-7-2) | Franklin Pierce (2-10-1)

HOW IT HAPPENED
Suffolk commanded the first, out shooting the Ravens, 30-6. Tom McGuckin stymied the Rams' effort and kept the hosts off the scoreboard over the first 20 minutes. 

Franklin Pierce broke open the scoring in the second on the powerplay. With Joe Vinigi already in the box for roughing, Jack Jenkins was whistled for hooking 1:43 into Vingi's penalty to give the Raven's a 5-on-3. Nicholas Fotiu scored with just three seconds remaining on Vingi's penalty to make it a 1-0 FPU contest. James Morrissey and Jonathan Haun assisted on the score. 

LJ Fellows leveled the playing field as the junior collected his own rebound and put his first goal of the season away at the 14:34 minute mark in the second. The defenseman had a helping hand from the Henry brothers on the tying goal. 

Jonathan Haun regained the edge for the Ravens as Matthew Toombs and Blake Manginell set up a score with 38 seconds remaining in the second. 

Looking for a comeback, Brian Brooks equalized the contest at the 7:28 minute mark on the powerplay. Matt Bucher and Connor Henry helped on the goal that pushed the score to 2-2. 

Mikhail Bryan gave Suffolk its first lead of the night, 3-2, 35 seconds later with help from Joseph Mortillaro and Fellows. 

Franklin Pierce's Evan Marek locked the score for the third time with eight minutes remaining in regulation. Down the stretch neither team lit the lamp as the crowd was in for bonus hockey. 

The extra stanza was shortlived as the Ravens struck just 22 seconds in with Alex Lester finding the back of the netting. Fotiu and Jack Williams assisted on the game-winner goal. 

KEEPING UP WITH THE KEEPERS

  • Michael Levine made 25 stops in the setback.
  • McGuckin had a day in net for the Ravens, turning aside 61 shots. 

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

  • Suffolk outshot Franklin Pierce 64-29 and held the advantage inside the faceoff circle, 43-28.
  • Fellows and Connor Henry each recorded two points on the night. Fellows had one goal and one helper with Henry notching a pair of assists.
  • Bryan and Brooks each scored once for the Rams.
  • Sean Henry, Bucher and Mortillaro all dished out assists on the evening. 

NOTEWORTHY

  • Suffolk and Franklin Pierce went into overtime for the third time in the all-time series.
  • Bryan kept his point streak alive, stretching it to four straight games. Over that stretch, the junior has recorded five goals. 

POST-GAME PIC

COMING UP
Suffolk hits the road a week from tonight when the Rams head to Hooksett, New Hampshire, for a rematch with SNHU. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at the Ice Den.