FITCHBURG, MASS. (Jan. 07, 2004) –Four third period goals helped Fitchburg State to a 6-2 win over Franklin Pierce in ECAC Northeast ice hockey action this evening.

Sophomore Bobby LeBlanc (Leominster, Mass./Leominster) and junior Rob Zapf (Woodbridge, Va./Jr. Bulldogs) each notched two goals in the contest for Fitchburg for two points each. Senior Mike Savastano (Plymouth, Mass./Coyle & Cassidy) registered a team-best three points on a goal and two assists, while freshman Jason Ledo (Somerset, Mass./Somerset) added two assists in the victory.

Sophomore Shawn Dooley (Rockland, Mass./Archbishop Williams) and freshman C.J. Demmons (Wolfeboro, N.H./Kimball Union) both scored their first goals of the year for the Ravens. Freshmen Duke Kelley (Bedford, N.H./Tupelo T-Rex) and Brad Leighton (Cumberland, Maine/East Coast Rangers) each posted assists, as did sophomore Matt Berthiaume (Rochdale, Mass./St. John’s of Shrewsbury) and senior goaltender Andy Tint (Buffalo, N.Y./SUNY Canton).

The Falcons took an early 2-0 lead after one period with a power play goal from Savastano at 2:14 and another at even strength from Zapf at 9:34.

With just five seconds remaining in the second period, Demmons brought the Ravens to within one on his first goal of the season from Tinti and Kelley.

Dooley then tied the score for the Ravens at two apiece 5:09 into the third period as he completed a pass from Berthiaume and Leighton. Fitchburg stormed back, however, with four unanswered goals as LeBlanc broke the tie at 7:11 with the game winner and added a second goal at 10:34. Zapf notched his second of the game at 14:33 and Ian Palmer (Groton, Mass./Assumption) rounded out the scoring with a goal at 17:54.

Tinti stopped 35 shots in net for Franklin Pierce and freshman Nick Hankes (Braintree, Mass./New York Apple Core) made 22 saves in the victory for Fitchburg.

Franklin Pierce (2-8, 1-6 ECAC NE, 0-4 NE-10) travels to Western New England College for an ECAC Northeast matchup at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday and Fitchburg State  (3-7, 1-3 ECAC NE) will host Lebanon Valley on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.

Fitchburg State 6, Franklin Pierce 2

First Period: FSC, Mike Savastano (Stephen Schofield, Chad Fletcher) 2:14 PP; FSC, Rob Zapf (Shane Colman Jason Ledo) 9:34.

Second Period: FPC, C.J. Demmons (Andy Tinti, Duke Kelley) 19:55.
Third Period: FPC, Shawn Dooley (Matt Berthiaume, Brad Leighton) 5:09; FSC, Bobby LeBlanc (John Gambale, Mike Savastano) 7:11; FSC, LeBlanc (Steve Carkin) 10:34; FSC, Zapf (Mike Krul, Savastano) 14:33; FSC, Ian Palmer (Greg Mailloux, Ledo) 17:54.

GOALTENDERS: FPC: Andy Tinti (41 shots, 35 saves). FSC: Nick Hankes (24 shots, 22 saves).