O'Brien makes 30 saves

WINCHENDON, Mass. (December 7, 2013) – Senior forward Roman Malyshev (Moscow, Russia) scored his first collegiate goal 10:20 into the first period on Saturday night, but four unanswered goals the other way would spell a 4-1 defeat for the Franklin Pierce University men's ice hockey team against Suffolk in non-conference play at Jason Ritchie Ice Arena. Sophomore forward Mike Cherpak and junior forward Tim Sprague tallied 1-1-2 each in the win for Suffolk.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 1-6-1 (0-2-1 Northeast-10), while Suffolk improves to 4-5-1 (2-2-1 ECAC Northeast). After a tightly-contested first period, Suffolk held a 25-16 edge in shots the rest of the way to finish with a 34-24 advantage. Suffolk would go 2-for-5 on the power play on the evening, while mixing in a shorthanded goal as well.

Malyshev opened the scoring just after the midway point of the opening stanza, capping off a two-on-one rush into the offensive zone. Senior forward Sean Dunn (Quincy, Mass.) had the puck coming down the right-wing side and flipped a pass across the middle to Malyshev. The latter one-timed home his first career goal from the bottom of the left-wing circle at the 10:20 mark.

Unfortunately for the Ravens, Malyshev's goal would be the team's only score on the night, and the lead would last just 72 seconds. At 11:14, freshman forward Brett Oldaker (Canonsburg, Pa.) was whistled for tripping, and Suffolk converted just 18 seconds into the ensuing man-advantage. Sprague got the puck to Cherpak along the right-wing halfboards, and the latter sent it towards junior forward Dan Mazzei at the right point. Mazzei let a one-timer rip from there and found the back of the net for his third goal of the season and the first of Suffolk's three special teams goals.

After the remainder of the first period went without another goal, Franklin Pierce got an abbreviated power-play chance early in the second period, with Suffolk sophomore defenseman Steve Colomey in the box for tripping. However, an ill-advised pass on the way out of the defensive end turned the puck over at the blue line to freshman forward Stanton Turner, who walked in all alone against senior goaltender Dave O'Brien (Groton, Mass.). Turner deked to his right, put then went back to the left and slipped the puck between O'Brien's pad and the left post for his first goal of the season.

Suffolk would push the lead to 3-1 at the 4:29 mark with an even-strength goal. After being set up by sophomore forward David Lazaro and junior forward Tim Benedetto, Cherpak came into the offensive end one-on-one against freshman defenseman Alex Schleper (Sutton, Mass.). Cherpak made a deke move, then powered around Schleper on the outside to create his own shooting lane, which he used to snap a shot between O'Brien's pads for his third goal of the campaign.

Through the latter stages of the second period and the early portions of the third, the teams traded a trio of coincidental minor penalties, but no further goals. Suffolk picked up an insurance marker with 4:24 to play on its second power-play goal of the night. With sophomore defenseman Stephen Whyte (Plymouth, Mass.) in the box for interference, an initial shot by senior forward Charlie McGinnis was turned aside by O'Brien. The rebound fell near the right-wing post for Sprague, who was able to bang home his team-leading sixth goal of the season.

O'Brien would finish the night with 30 saves and took the loss (0-3-1) in front of the Franklin Pierce net. Sophomore Brandon Smolarek came up with 23 saves to pick up the win (4-4-1) between the pipes for Suffolk.

The Ravens return to the ice on Wednesday, Dec. 11, when they travel to Nichols for a non-conference contest. Opening faceoff is set for 8:10 p.m. at Levy Rink in Burrillville, R.I. Franklin Pierce next plays at home on Friday, Dec. 13 against Morrisville State at 5 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).