Manginell nets first collegiate goal

FOXBORO, Mass. (November 22, 2014) – Sophomore forward Connor Mauro (Shrewsbury, Mass.) scored with 2:42 to play on Saturday afternoon to pull the Franklin Pierce University men's ice hockey team within a goal, but two late scores allowed Stonehill to pull away for a 5-2 win in Northeast-10 Conference play at Foxboro Sports Center. Senior forward Kevin Aufiero had two goals and an assist in the victory for Stonehill.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 1-5-0 (1-2-0 Northeast-10), while Stonehill improves to 3-2-1 (3-0-0 Northeast-10). Stonehill now leads the three-game season series and would take the two Northeast-10 points for winning the series with a victory in either remaining game. The two clubs will meet again in the Ravens' final two games of the regular season, at Franklin Pierce on Feb. 12 and at Stonehill on Feb. 18.

Stonehill was dominant in the first period, to the tune of a 19-3 advantage in shots on goal, en route to a 43-28 margin for the game. Even with the advantage, the Skyhawks only struck once in the opening 20 minutes, but it came early, just 42 seconds into the stanza. Sophomore forward Brian Higgins notched his second goal of the campaign, unassisted.

The Ravens would even things at 1-1 after the first intermission, at the 7:58 mark of the second frame. Freshman forward Blake Manginell (Troy, Mich.) put away his first career goal, off an assist from fellow freshman forward Jonathan Lee (Staten Island, N.Y.). The Skyhawks reclaimed the lead just 2:17 later, with the day's lone power-play marker. Junior forward Thomas DePoalo finished off his first goal of the year on the man-advantage, while Aufiero and senior defenseman Brendan Greene added the helpers.

Stonehill stretched the lead to 3-1 at the 9:52 mark of the third period, as Aufiero's third of the season would eventually serve as the game-winner, while freshman defenseman Connor Tedesco picked up the assist.

Franklin Pierce attempted to rally late, starting at the 17:18 mark, as Mauro notched his second of the season, unassisted. With the clock ticking towards the final minute of play, the Ravens pulled freshman goaltender Etienne Roy (Saint-Henri, Quebec) in favor of the extra attacker. The comeback was not to be, however, as Stonehill capitalized on the empty net, striking at the 18:59 mark with the second of the day for Aufiero, off assists from Higgins and junior defenseman Connor Fallon. The Skyhawks added another goal with 18 seconds to play to create the 5-2 final. Junior forward Richard Harris and junior defenseman Brian Furey set up the first score of the season for junior forward Dan Graham.

Roy finished with 38 saves, but suffered the loss (1-1-0) in front of the net for Franklin Pierce. Junior Matt Palella stopped 26 shots to pick up the win (1-1-0) between the pipes for Stonehill.

The Ravens return to the ice on Tuesday, Nov. 25, when they return home to host Westfield State in a non-conference contest. Opening faceoff is scheduled 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).