Franklin Pierce downed by Saint Michaels, 7-1
Spalt notches his first career tally in the second period for the Ravens
Eric Spalt scored his first career goal on Saturday at Saint Michael's. |
SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt.
(December 8, 2007) – Saint Michael’s College
scored six power-play goals in the final two periods as the host
Purple Knights defeated Franklin Pierce University, 7-1, in a
penalty-filled Northeast-10 Conference ice hockey match on Saturday
evening at Cairns Arena.
The teams combined for 24 power-play opportunities on the evening,
as much of the game was decided by special teams play. Saint
Michael’s won the game by converting on six of its 15
man-advantage chances (40 percent), while Franklin Pierce was held
scoreless in nine power-play attempts.
Chris Healey (Salem, N.H./New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs) and John
Burns (Sandwich, Mass./University of Connecticut) each recorded
four points for the Purple Knights, with Healey scoring twice with
two assists and Burns assisting on four tallies. Ryan Mero
(Peekskill, N.Y./Avon Academy) also scored twice for the home
team.
Freshman Eric Spalt (Barnstable, Mass./New Hampton
School) scored his first collegiate goal late in the
second period for the team's lone tally of the night, with assists
going to sophomore Phil LaBreck (Thornton, N.H./Laconia
Leafs) and junior Shane Murphy (Tolland, Conn./The
Gunnery School).
The first period featured only one goal, despite the Ravens
peppering Saint Michael’s goaltender Tyler Bilton (Penticton,
British Columbia/Finlandia University) with 16 shots. Purple Knight
junior Bryan Dodge (Goffstown, N.H./Governor Dummer Academy) scored
the only goal of the period, taking a pass from Burns inside the
blue line and one-timing a shot past Raven freshman Matt
McCarthy (Natick, Mass./New Hampton School) for his first
collegiate goal at the 10:39 mark.
Saint Michael’s came out strong in the second period,
outshooting Franklin Pierce, 18-7, and outscoring the Ravens by
two. Healey started the second-period scoring 7:53 into the frame,
scoring the eventual game-winner on the power play. Kevin Richard
(South Burlington, Vt./Rice Memorial) added the first of his career
less than four minutes later, and Healey followed with his second
of the period at 12:37 to give the team a four-goal advantage.
Spalt got the Ravens on the board with 3:39 remaining in the
middle frame, as he received passes from LaBreck and Murphy and
notched his first collegiate goal.
The Purple Knights sealed the win by scoring three power-play
goals in a span of 2:17 midway through the third period.
Saint Michael’s held a 42-28 shot advantage on the night.
Bilton made 27 saves for the Purple Knights, while McCarthy stopped
a career-high 35 shots for Franklin Pierce.
Franklin Pierce (2-8-0, 0-1-0 NE-10, 1-4-0 ECAC NE) will return to
ECAC Northeast and Northeast-10 Conference play on Monday night,
when the Ravens take on Stonehill College at 7 p.m. Saint Michael's
(3-3-1, 2-0-0 NE-10) is off until Dec. 29, when the team hosts the
Saint Michael's College Holiday Classic.