Men’s Ice Hockey Clipped at SNHU, 3-1

Ravens head to Assumption on Saturday

HOOKSETT, N.H. (January 21, 2014) – Freshman forward Aaron Blaker (Rolling Meadows, Ill.) scored in his second straight game on Tuesday night, but it was not enough for the Franklin Pierce University men's ice hockey team, which dropped a 3-1 decision to Southern New Hampshire in Northeast-10 Conference play at The Ice Den. Sophomore forward Jim Gabrione had a goal and an assist in the win for SNHU.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 3-12-1 (1-4-1 Northeast-10), while Southern New Hampshire improves to 12-5-1 (4-1-0 Northeast-10). Combined with a 5-1 win in Winchendon on Nov. 19, SNHU has already clinched a win in the three-game season series between the two teams and has earned the two points in the Northeast-10 standings as a result. The Penmen held a 32-17 advantage in shots on Tuesday night.

SNHU scored the first period's only goal at the 12:03 mark, when Gabrione put away his 12th goal of the season, unassisted. The Penmen would hold the 1-0 for the next 35 minutes, as the remainder of the first, all of the second and the start of the third went without further scoring.

At the 5:32 mark of the third, Franklin Pierce freshman forward Michael Marchionda (Hyde Park, Mass.) was sent to the penalty box for tripping, which left SNHU with its third power-play chance of the night. The Ravens came painfully close to killing off the man-advantage, but the Penmen converted with one second remaining on the sixth goal of the campaign for freshman forward Jay Sylvia. Gabrione and junior forward Dane Caracino picked up the helpers at 7:31.

Franklin Pierce got on the board a shade over three minutes later, as Blaker put home the team's only goal of the night. His third of the season came off assists from senior forward Tyler Cornele (Cape Coral, Fla.) and freshman defenseman Alex Schleper (Sutton, Mass.) at 10:44. Blaker now has five points in the second half's first six games (3-2-5), while Cornele has a four-game point-scoring streak (2-3-5).

Though the Blaker score closed the Ravens within a goal, they were unable to find an equalizer, and SNHU picked up an insurance marker to cap the scoring and create the 3-1 final at 14:39. Sophomore forward Joe Collins scored his team-leading 15th goal of the year, with assists credited to junior forwards Steven Berry and John Humphrey.

Senior goaltender Dave O'Brien (Groton, Mass.) made 29 saves and suffered the loss (1-9-1) between the pipes for Franklin Pierce. Senior Tyler Holske stopped 16 shots to pick up the win (10-5-1) in net for Southern New Hampshire.

The Ravens return to the ice on Saturday, Jan. 25, when they travel to Assumption for a pivotal Northeast-10 Conference contest. Opening faceoff is set for 7:35 p.m. at Buffone Rink in Worcester, Mass. The Ravens have a 1-0-1 lead in the season series with the Greyhounds and can claim two points with a win or a tie. Franklin Pierce next plays at home on Saturday, Feb. 1 against Stonehill at 8 p.m.

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).