FitzPatrick, Glynn score as well

WINCHENDON, Mass. (December 6, 2014) – Rams sophomore forward Danyil Medvedev scored twice, including the game-winner, and added a pair of assists on Saturday night, as the Franklin Pierce University men's ice hockey team was clipped, 4-3, by Suffolk in non-conference play at Jason Ritchie Ice Arena. Freshman forward Brad Riccardi (Scarsdale, N.Y.) had his first collegiate multiple-point game with a goal and an assist in defeat for Franklin Pierce.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 2-8-0 (2-2-0 Northeast-10), while Suffolk improves to 7-0-1 (4-0-1 ECAC Northeast).

All seven goals in the game would come at even strength, 5-on-5, and Suffolk opened the scoring in the game's first five minutes. At the 4:36 mark of the opening stanza, the entire top line got in on the act for the Rams on a rush which originated down the left-wing side. Sophomore forward Justin Selep chipped the puck down the boards in the neutral zone, in the direction of Medvedev, who corralled it as he entered the attack zone. This created a partial 2-on-1 in the offensive end for Suffolk, as Medvedev drew a defenseman his way and slipped a pass into the slot for unattended senior forward Tim Sprague. Sprague quickly put a low shot on net which beat Franklin Pierce freshman goaltender Tom McGuckin (Clayton, N.J.) for Sprague's fifth goal of the season.

Franklin Pierce would strike just over three minutes later, at 7:55, to even the game at 1-1. The play in the offensive end appeared to be about to break down at the top of the right circle, but the Ravens were able to chip the puck out of trouble to senior defenseman Brendan FitzPatrick (Winthrop, Mass.) out at the point. FitzPatrick unleashed a slap shot from just inside the middle of blue line which found its way through traffic and into the upper reaches of the net for his second goal of the campaign. Sophomore forward Michael Marchionda (Hyde Park, Mass.) and Riccardi picked up the assists on the play.

Suffolk would take a 2-1 lead into the locker room after it struck again at 11:58. Medvedev set up Selep, who put a shot on net from the left circle. McGuckin appeared to be in position to make the save on the play and got a piece of the shot, but the puck got behind him and wound up across the goal line for Selep's sixth score of the year.

After the intermission, the Ravens again drew even, this time at 2-2 at the 8:56 mark, on a strong individual effort by Riccardi, who scored his third goal of the year. Riccardi had the puck along the left halfboards and deked multiple defenders on his way to the slot before putting the puck behind Suffolk junior goaltender Brandon Smolarek from just out in front of the crease.

The Rams reclaimed the one-goal lead just 70 seconds before the second intermission, at 18:50. This time, it was Medvedev who beat McGuckin with a quick snap shot from the left-wing circle, just five seconds after Franklin Pierce had finished killing off a pair of penalties, including 45 seconds of 5-on-3. Junior forward Michael Cherpak had the lone assist on Medvedev's second of the season.

Suffolk struck at the 5:25 mark of the third period to open up the first two-goal lead of the night, at 4-2. Medvedev capped a rush up the left side of the ice my snapping a laser of a shot into the top right corner from just above the faceoff dot in the left-wing circle. Senior defenseman Andrew Ball and Selep provided the helpers on the play.

The Ravens closed back within a goal at 16:52, on the second of the year for junior forward Brendan Glynn (Quincy, Mass.). Sophomore forward Brett Oldaker (Canonsburg, Pa.) sent a pass which found Glynn just outside the right post. The latter made a quick move and stuffed the puck behind Smolarek, simultaneous to the defense causing the net to come off its moorings. After discussion among the officials, and despite vocal protest from the Suffolk bench, the goal was allowed to stand.

Franklin Pierce would later pull McGuckin for an extra attacker for the final 75 seconds of the game, but the Ravens were unable to find the equalizer.

McGuckin finished with 30 saves, but took the loss (1-2-0) in the crease for Franklin Pierce. Over two games on the weekend, he piled up 83 saves against 91 shots on goal. At the other end of the ice, Smolarek finished with 31 saves to pick up the win (6-0-1) in front of the Suffolk net.

The Ravens return to the ice on Tuesday, Dec. 9, when they travel to Saint Anselm for a Northeast-10 Conference contest. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Sullivan Arena in Manchester, N.H. Franklin Pierce next plays at home on Saturday, Dec. 13 against Framingham State at 3 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).