Penalty Kill Struggles as Men’s Ice Hockey Falls to SNHU, 5-1

Moran makes 34 saves

WINCHENDON, Mass. (November 19, 2013) – Seven penalties totaling 25 minutes led to four power-play goals against in eight chances on Tuesday night as the Franklin Pierce University men's ice hockey team dropped a 5-1 decision to Southern New Hampshire in Northeast-10 Conference play at Jason Ritchie Ice Arena. Sophomore forward Joe Collins scored a pair of power-play markers for SNHU in the victory, while sophomore goaltender Kyle Moran (Marshfield, Mass.) made 34 saves in defeat for Franklin Pierce.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 0-4-1 (0-1-1 Northeast-10), while Southern New Hampshire improves to 5-1-0 (1-1-0 Northeast-10). SNHU takes the first game in the three-game season series and will need to win only one of the two remaining meetings to take the two points in the Northeast-10 standings for winning the series. The two teams will meet at SNHU on Jan. 21 and again at Jason Ritchie Ice Arena on Feb. 19.

SNHU scored both of the first period's goals, with both coming on the power play, to jump to a 2-0 lead and never looked back. At the 9:14 mark of the opening stanza, Franklin Pierce senior forward Bryan Colella (Medfield, Mass.) was whistled for tripping while on the forecheck and the Penmen converted just 22 seconds into the man-advantage. The play developed quickly on the right-wing side and the puck came to Collins in the right-wing corner with a head of steam heading behind the net. He beat Moran to the far post and stuffed in the wraparound chance for his eighth goal of the season. Freshman forward Jay Sylvia and junior forward Dane Caracino picked up the assists on the play.

At 12:21, junior forward Tim Sullivan (Rye, N.H.) picked up a high-sticking minor in the neutral zone and again SNHU cashed in, this time at 14:07. Senior defenseman Nick Riccio got the puck to junior forward Bryan Wright at the left point and the latter unleashed a shot from there. Junior forward John Humphrey was stationed in the shooting lane and deflected home his third goal of the campaign.

The Penmen pushed the lead to 3-0 at 8:57 of the middle frame off a strong individual move by junior forward Steven Berry. Freshman defenseman Sean McTiernan and sophomore forward Jim Gabrione worked to spring Berry into the offensive end in a 1-on-1 situation. Near the top of the left-wing circle, Berry deked around the Franklin Pierce defenseman on the outside, found room to shoot and snapped a shot between Moran's pads for his second goal of the year.

An individual effort going the other way got Franklin Pierce its only goal of the night at 14:56 of the second period. On a breakout play, Colella found room to maneuver down the left side of the ice. With a full head of steam heading across the blue line into the offensive end, he had only one defender left in his way; he was able to power around him on the left side and beat SNHU senior goaltender Tyler Holske for his first goal of the season.

Facing a two-goal deficit in the third frame, Franklin Pierce drew a penalty near the period's midpoint, but was unable to get much going on the ensuing power play, despite a pair of shots. Any hopes of a comeback were dashed shortly after, as junior defenseman Brendan FitzPatrick (Winthrop, Mass.) was hit with a five-minute major for hitting from behind, as well as a game misconduct at 11:18. SNHU put home a pair of power-play goals on the major to push the lead to 5-1 and salt the game away. First, at 14:05, junior defenseman Casey Goll worked the puck down low to Collins on the right side. Despite the sharp angle, Collins was able to put a wrist shot away anyway for his second goal of the night. Later, at 15:56, senior forward Zach Lubinski stuffed home the rebound of a shot by senior defenseman Trevor Nelson for his first of the year to cap the scoring.

Moran was under siege for portions of the night, particularly in the third period, when he faced 17 shots as SNHU held a 17-6 advantage in the period as part of a 39-23 edge for the night. Moran wound up with 34 saves on the night, but was tagged with the loss (0-2-0) anyway. At the other end of the ice, Holske turned aside 23 shots to pick up the win (3-1-0) between the pipes for Southern New Hampshire.

The Ravens return to the ice on Tuesday, Nov. 26, when they travel to Westfield State for a non-conference contest. Opening faceoff is set for 7:35 at Amelia Park Ice Arena in Westfield, Mass. Franklin Pierce next plays at home on Saturday, Nov. 30 against Stonehill at 7 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).