Kane and Nickerson combine for eight total points in Panther victory

WATERVILLE VALLEY, N.H. (Feb. 15, 2006) - The Franklin Pierce Ice Hockey team suffered a tough 9-1 loss to Plymouth State College in ECAC-Northeast Conference this evening at the Waterville Ice Arena. Panther seniors Dennis Kane (Westford, Mass./Westford Academy) and Rory Nickerson (West Chatham, Mass./Chatham Bay State Breakers) total a game-high four points each, on a goal and three assists apiece.

Plymouth State opened the scoring mid-way through the first frame as the Panthers jumped out to an early 3-0 lead. Junior Goose LaCroix (Moretown, Vt./Green Mountain Glades),senior Paul Feeney (Lowell, Mass./Lowell), and Kane each notched first period goals to give the Panthers the early advantage.

In the second frame, Plymouth State exploded for five more goals to secure the victory. Sophomores Ryan Moreau (Worcester, Mass./Cushing) and Chris Cadieux (Nashua, N.H./Salem Ice Dogs) each registered a goal and an assist during the period while classmate Topo LaCroix (Moretown, Vt./Green Mountain Glades), junior Derek Avakian (Edgartown, Mass./Martha's Vineyard) and Nickerson added one goal each.

Franklin Pierce senior defenseman Mark Gibbons (Quincy, Mass./Archbishop Williams) netted the lone goal for the Ravens during a second period power-play, from feeds by senior tri-captain Matt Clemente (Middletown, N.J/Laconia Leafs) and sophomore Joseph Fields (Wallingford, Pa./Green Mountain Glades).

Franklin Pierce goaltenders, senior Robert Arduini (Fulton, N.Y./Gray Bradley) and sophomore Steve Moore (Londonderry, N.H./American International) combined to make 44 saves for the Ravens. Plymouth State goaltender Karl Helgesson (Lerum, Sweden) made 26 saves in the first two periods to earn the win for the Panthers.

Franklin Pierce (1-17-4, 0-12-3 ECAC NE, 1-3-0 NE-10) will take the ice again on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. as it travels to Southern New Hampshire University for its final regular season game. Plymouth State College (13-8-1, 11-2-0 ECAC NE) will be in action again on Saturday at it travels to Worcester State College for match starting at 8 p.m.

GAME STATISTICS

Plymouth State 9, Franklin Pierce 1
Plymouth State    (13-8-1, 11-2-0 ECAC NE)             3          5          1          -           9
Franklin Pierce    (1-17-4, 0-12-3 ECAC NE)             0          1          0          -           1

Scoring Summary
First Period: PSU: Goose LaCroix (Jay Londer, Topo LaCroix), 9:27; PSU: Dennis Kane (Rory Nickerson), 10:56; PSU: Paul Feeney (Nickerson, Kane), 19:14
Second Period: PSU: Topo LaCroix (G. LaCroix, Bobby Dashner), 2:48; FP: Mark Gibbons (Matt Clemente, Joe Fields), 4:30; PSU: Chris Cadieux (Londer, Pat Turcotte), 5:59; PSU: Derek Avakian (Nate Gardner, Kane), 12:58; PSU: Nickerson (Ryan Moreau, Turcotte), 16:43; PSU: Moreau (Cadieux, Deni Bojadzic), 17:34
Third Period:: PSU: Joey Lee (Kane, Nickerson), 15:57
Goaltenders:
FP: Rob Arduini (40:00), 27 saves ; Steve Moore (20:00), 17 saves
PSC: Karl Helgesson (40:00), 26 saves; Brendan Fahy (20:00), 11 Saves
Shots on Goal:
FP: 11-16-11-38
PSC: 20-15-18-53
Three Stars:
First Star: Dennis Kane (Plymouth State)
Second Star: Rory Nickerson (Plymouth State)
Third Star: Goose LaCroix (Plymouth State)