O'Brien makes 29 saves in season debut

WINCHENDON, Mass. (November 17, 2012) – Senior defenseman Brendan McCarron (Andover, Mass.) scored two power-play goals, including the game-winner, on Saturday afternoon to lead the Franklin Pierce University men's ice hockey team to a 3-1 win over SUNY Canton in non-conference play at Jason Ritchie Ice Arena. Senior forward John Payne scored the lone goal in defeat for SUNY Canton.

With the win, Franklin Pierce improves to 3-2-0 (1-0-0 Northeast-10), while SUNY Canton falls to 3-4-0. Each team collected 30 shots on the afternoon, while combining for three power-play goals.

After a scoreless first period went by the boards, the Ravens opened the scoring just past the midway point of the proceedings, at the 10:11 mark of the second stanza. A shot by senior forward Sean Dunn (Quincy, Mass.) was turned aside by Canton freshman goaltender Luis Puig, but freshman forward Brendan Glynn (Quincy, Mass.) was on-hand to put away the rebound for his first career goal. Freshman defenseman Stephen Whyte (Plymouth, Mass.) added an assist on the play to notch his first collegiate point.

With time winding down in the first, Canton would strike for a power-play goal with 1:33 remaining to tie the game at 1-1. Working on a two-man advantage, Payne finished a play in the slot for his fifth goal of the campaign, while senior forward Corey Frizell and junior defenseman Cory Giczewski added the assists.

Despite only 93 seconds remaining in the frame, Franklin Pierce would find the eventual game-winning goal to head into the second intermission leading 2-1. On the power play with just 15 seconds left in the period, McCarron corralled a loose puck at the right point and snapped home his second goal of the season, unassisted.

Much of the third period went without a goal as well, before McCarron struck again on the power play to provide some insurance at the 15:27 mark. Utilizing the open ice available in the 4-on-3 advantage with multiple penalties on the board, McCarron took a pass from junior defenseman Andrew Dadds (Mount Ephraim, N.J.) to set up his second career multiple-goal game.

Junior goaltender Dave O'Brien (Groton, Mass.) made his first start of the season and made 29 saves to pick up the win (1-0-0) in net for Franklin Pierce. Puig turned aside 27 shots and suffered the loss (1-3-0) between the pipes for SUNY Canton.

The Ravens return to the ice on Thursday, November 29, when they remain home to host Fitchburg State in a non-conference contest. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Jason Ritchie Ice Arena.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce men's ice hockey apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' brand new online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).