Phil LaBreck scores both goals for Ravens

Box Score

WINCHENDON, Mass. (February 16, 2009) – Freshman forward Brian Canter (Anchorage, Alaska/Helena Bighorns) scored the eventual game-winning goal on the power play in the second period on Monday night as Fitchburg State defeated the Franklin Pierce University ice hockey team, 4-2, in ECAC Northeast Conference play at The Winchendon School Ice Arena. Junior forward Phil LaBreck (Thornton, N.H./John Stark Regional) scored both Franklin Pierce goals in defeat.

The two squads traded goals in the first 10:02 of the game. Fitchburg State struck first when freshman forward Thomas McAleer (East Islip, N.Y./N.Y. Bobcats) scored his fifth of the season amidst a scramble out front at the 2:16 mark, while senior forward Aaron Tiernan (Anchorage, Alaska/Central Texas Marshals) picked up the lone assist. Later, at the 10:02 mark, LaBreck scored his eighth of the season from the right circle to tie the game at 1-1. Freshman forward Nate Schursky (Scottsdale, Ariz./Eugene Generals (NPHL)) and senior forward Shane Murphy (Tolland, Conn./The Gunnery School) picked up the assists as the whole line chipped in on the goal.

Fitchburg State then took a 3-1 lead with a pair of goals in the second period. First, at the 3:56 mark, Hutton struck on the power play for his 16th of the season, as he knocked the rebound of a shot by sophomore forward Chris Riggs (Sewell, N.J./Fort Vancouver Pioneers) into the net. Sophomore defenseman Erik Trahan (Manville, R.I./The Winchendon School) also picked up an assist on the play. The Falcons extended the lead to two goals at the 11:32 mark, when Canter stuffed home a rebound to score his seventh goal of the season. Freshman forward Kris Threlkeld (Centerville, Ohio/CD Selects) and freshman defenseman Travis Bertolotti (Miller Place, N.Y./N.Y. Bobcats) tallied the assists on the eventual game-winning goal.

The two clubs traded goals in the third period to create the 4-2 final. First, Fitchburg State took a 4-1 lead at the 6:28 mark when sophomore defenseman Billy Pescosolido (Framingham, Mass./Walpole Express) scored his second of the year from the top of the crease on assists from sophomore forward Andrew Jones (Franklin, Mass./Walpole Express) and senior forward John Coutts (Milford, Conn./Kent School). Later, at the 10:23 mark, LaBreck scored his second of the night on a breakaway goal set up by passes from freshman defenseman Michael King (Center Conway, N.H./Laconia Leafs (AJHL)) and Murphy.

Fitchburg State held a 40-26 advantage in shots on goal and went 1-for-8 on the power play. Franklin Pierce finished 0-for-1 with the man advantage.

Sophomore goaltender Robert Vorse (Leominster, Mass./Bay State Breakers) made 24 saves in net for Fitchburg State to pick up the win. Freshman Ben Siok (Holden, Mass./St. John’s Shrewsbury) made 36 saves between the pipes for Franklin Pierce and took the loss.

The Ravens (5-16-2, 1-4-0 NE-10, 4-10-2 ECAC Northeast) return to the ice on Wednesday, Feb. 16, when they host Plymouth State in an ECAC Northeast Conference contest. Faceoff for the regular-season finale is scheduled for 8 p.m. at The Winchendon School Ice Arena. Fitchburg State (10-8-5, 7-5-3 ECAC Northeast) returns to action on Feb. 21 at Salve Regina.