Colella dishes out pair of assists

WESTFIELD, Mass. (November 26, 2013) – Senior forward Ted Walsh (Quincy, Mass.) scored twice in the first period on Tuesday night to lead the way for the Franklin Pierce University men's ice hockey team in a 3-2 victory over Westfield State in non-conference play at Amelia Park Ice Arena. Junior goaltender Ian Perrier piled up 36 saves in the loss for Westfield State.

With the win, Franklin Pierce improves to 1-4-1 (0-1-1 Northeast-10), while Westfield State falls to 3-5-0 (3-1-0 Massachusetts State).

Walsh's two goals were the only goals of the first stanza on Tuesday night, as he staked Franklin Pierce to a 2-0 lead. First, at the 8:28 mark, he put home his second of the campaign, off an assist from senior forward Bryan Colella (Medfield, Mass.). Colella set up Walsh's second score of the night as well, at 17:12, while sophomore forward Brendan Glynn (Quincy, Mass.) provided the other helper. For Walsh, it was his first career multiple-goal game, while Colella posted his first multiple-point game since going for 1-1-2 against Stonehill on Feb. 4, 2012, during his sophomore season.

Westfield State surged out of the gate to start the second period and scored twice in the first seven minutes to knot the game at 2-2. First, at 3:14, with Franklin Pierce freshman defenseman Taylor Fletcher (Leominster, Mass.) in the box for boarding, Westfield State sophomore defenseman Kyllian Kirkwood converted on the power play for his second goal of the year. Sophomore forward P.J. McCadden and junior forward Frank Zuccaro picked up the assists on the play. Just 3:42 later, junior forward Dan Loughlin set up freshman defenseman Mike Busconi for the latter's first of the season to tie the game.

The tie would be short-lived however, as Franklin Pierce took the lead for good just 43 seconds later. At 7:37, junior forward Tim Sullivan (Rye, N.H.) put home his second goal of the campaign, which would ultimately stand as the game-winner. Senior forward Ilester Little (Dallas, Texas) provided the assist on the play. The third period went without further scoring, and Westfield State could never find the equalizer, despite pulling Perrier for the extra attacker over the final 52 seconds.

Sophomore goaltender Kyle Moran (Marshfield, Mass.) made 34 saves against 36 shots to pick up the win (1-2-0) in net for Franklin Pierce. Despite his 36 saves against 39 shots, Perrier suffered the loss (0-4-0) between the pipes for Westfield State.

The Ravens return to the ice on Saturday, Nov. 30, when they return home to host Stonehill in a Northeast-10 Conference contest. Opening faceoff is set for 7 p.m. at Jason Ritchie Ice Arena in Winchendon, Mass.

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).