Four goals in the third period lead Corsairs to victory

WINCHENDON, Mass. (Feb. 4, 2006) - The Franklin Pierce Ice Hockey team suffered a tough 6-1 loss to UMass Dartmouth in ECAC Northeast Conference action tonight at the Robinson-Broadhurst Arena. Corsairs junior Ray Kirby (Fairhaven, Mass./York Stars) led all scorers, registering a game-high three points on two goals and one assist.

UMass Dartmouth opened the scoring just 3:51 into the first period as Kirby deposited his first goal of the game off feeds from senior captain Eric Frank (Waltham, Mass./Traverse City Enforcers) and junior Paul Carr (Springfield, Mass./Springfield Cathedral).

In the second period, UMass Dartmouth took a 2-0 advantage as freshman Francis Gunn (Winthrop, Mass./Berkshire Academy) slipped a shot past Franklin Pierce goaltender Robert Arduini (Fulton, N.Y./Gray Bradley) to score what would be the game-winning goal for the Corsairs.

Franklin Pierce got on the score board in the third period, as sophomore Joseph Fields (Lansdale, Pa./Green Mountain Glades) recorded his tenth goal of the season off assists from senior tri-captain Matt Clemente (Middletown, N.J./Laconia Leafs) and sophomore Peter Wilson (Marshfield, Mass./Marshfield).

UMass Dartmouth would add four more goals throughout the third period to secure the victory. Corsair freshman goaltender Jeff Green (Medway, Mass./Valley Jr. Warriors) collected his third victory of the season, stopping 20 shots in net. Arduini made 43 saves for the Ravens despite the loss.

Franklin Pierce (1-14-4, 0-10-3 ECAC NE, 1-3-0 NE-10) will take the ice again next Saturday as the Ravens host Stonehill College at 2:30 p.m. UMass Dartmouth (17-4-0, 10-1-0 ECAC NE) will be in action again on Wednesday as it hosts Wentworth Institute at 7:30 p.m.  

GAME STATISTICS 

UMass Dartmouth 6, Franklin Pierce 1
UMass Dartmouth (17-4-0, 10-1-0 ECAC NE)           1          1          5          -           6
Franklin Pierce (1-14-4, 0-10-3 NE-10)                      0          0          1          -           1

Scoring Summary
First Period: UMD: Ray Kirby (Eric Frank, Paul Carr), 3:51
Second Period: UMD: Francis Gunn, 6:50
Third Period:: UMD: Kirby (Dan Aucoin, Tyler Crocker), 4:00; UMD: Patrick Lovett (Mike McPherson, Peter Lindner), 5:13; FP: Joseph Fields (Matt Clemente, Peter Wilson), 10:28; Kyle McCullough (Frank, Jeff Green), 11:15; Jim Foley (Aucoin, Kirby), 12:09
OT: No Scoring
Goaltenders:
FP: Rob Arduini (60:00), 43 saves
UMD: Jeff Green (60:00), 20 saves
Shots on Goal:
FP: 14-16-19-49
UMD: 7-6-8-21
Three Stars:
First Star: Ray Kirby (UMD)
Second Star: Francis Gunn (UMD)
Third Star: Eric Frank (UMD)