LaBreck, Sweeney net goal, assist each

Box Score

WESTFIELD, Mass. (November 12, 2009) – Sophomore forward Pat Nelson scored twice, including the game-winning goal, on Thursday night to lead Westfield State to a 6-3 victory over the Franklin Pierce University ice hockey team in non-conference play at Amelia Park Arena. Senior forward Phil LaBreck (Thornton, N.H.) and freshman forward Roscoe Sweeney (Falmouth, Mass.) each tallied a goal and an assist in defeat for Franklin Pierce.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 1-3-0 (0-0-0 Northeast-10), while Westfield State improves to 2-0-0 (0-0-0 Massachusetts State) with the victory.

Westfield State opened the scoring six minutes into the contest, when sophomore forward Ryan Cotcamp found the net on the power play, thanks to assists from freshman forward Danny Kaufman and junior forward Dennis Zak. Franklin Pierce would draw even just 50 seconds later, as sophomore forward Bill Sullivan (Pittsburgh, Pa.) notched his first of the season off helpers from junior defenseman Sean Carroll (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) and LaBreck. Later, Westfield State took a 2-1 lead into the first intermission as Zak struck for the go-ahead marker on assists from junior defenseman Ted Battaglia and sophomore goaltender Ian Wilson at the 12:35 mark.

The teams would alternate through four goals in the second period, which allowed Westfield State to maintain its one-goal lead heading for the third period. LaBreck scored first to bring Franklin Pierce level at 2-2, with assists from junior forward Sean Woodring (Rogue River, Ore.) and Sweeney just 3:14 into the middle stanza. Westfield State briefly took the lead at the 9:27 mark as senior forward Casey Mignone picked up the power-play goal on feeds from sophomore forward Jimmy Alexander and freshman forward Lucas Romero.

Once again, Franklin Pierce drew even, this time just 49 seconds later. Sweeney found the back of the net to make it 3-3 with his first career goal on an assist from junior defenseman William Dugan (Norwood, Mass.). However, with just 57 seconds to play in the second frame, Westfield State took the lead for good. Nelson scored the game-winning goal for the Owls on an assist from junior defenseman Dylan Scanlon.

Westfield State tacked on insurance markers from Kaufman and Nelson at the 10:21 and 18:19 marks of the third period to skate away with the 6-3 victory.

Sophomore goaltender Ben Siok (Holden, Mass.) made 22 saves over the first two periods and took the loss (1-3-0) in net for Franklin Pierce. Senior Jon Tuttle (Concord, N.H.) stopped 11 shots in the final period. Meanwhile, Wilson made 26 saves to pick up the win (1-0-0) between the pipes for Westfield State.

The Ravens return to the ice on Saturday, Nov. 14, when they travel to Nichols for a non-conference contest. Faceoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at Levy Rink in Harrisville, R.I. Franklin Pierce next plays at home on Nov. 17 against Southern New Hampshire at 7 p.m.