Dennis collects pair of assists

FITCHBURG, Mass. (November 11, 2011) – Sophomore forward Brandon Dennis (Williamsport, Md.) notched the first two points of his career with a pair of assists on Friday evening, but the Franklin Pierce University men's ice hockey team was defeated, 5-2, by Wentworth Institute of Technology on the first day of the ICFCU Shootout, hosted by Fitchburg State at Wallace Civic Center. Seven different players scored in the game for the two teams.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 0-3-0 (0-0-0 Northeast-10), while Wentworth improves to 1-1-0 (0-0-0 ECAC Northeast). Franklin Pierce will square off with Southern New Hampshire at 1 p.m. on Saturday in the consolation game of the ICFCU Shootout. The Penmen were defeated by host Fitchburg State, 5-3, on Friday night.

Franklin Pierce cashed in on a power play at the 9:21 mark of the first period to open the scoring, as junior forward Dino Federico (Canton, Mass.) jammed home his first goal of the season amidst a scramble out front. Fellow junior forward Roscoe Sweeney (Falmouth, Mass.) picked up an assist, as did Dennis, as the Ravens jumped to the 1-0 lead.

However, Wentworth would respond twice in the final 2:25 of the stanza to take a 2-1 lead into the locker room. First, on a power play of their own, the Leopards drew even at the 17:35 mark. Senior forward Skylur Jameson put his first of the season to the back of the net, while junior forward Anthony Principato and freshman forward Kevin Crowe tallied assists. Just 80 seconds later, at even strength this time, freshman forward Mike Domsodi's first of the season gave Wentworth the lead, off a pass from junior defenseman Shaun Jameson.

The Ravens would briefly knot things at 2-2 at the 9:09 mark of the second period, after converting on another power play. Dennis shipped the puck to junior defenseman Andrew Dadds (Mount Ephraim, N.J.) at the right point. Dadds let fly a shot through traffic, and Wentworth freshman goaltender Alex Peck appeared to be screened, as the puck wound up in the net. Senior forward Bill Sullivan (Pittsburgh, Pa.) also added an assist on Dadds' first career goal.

Only 59 seconds later, Wentworth would take the lead for good, when a shot from the point by junior defenseman Reed Rushing fluttered over the glove shoulder of Franklin Pierce senior goalkeeper Ben Siok (Holden, Mass.). Domsodi and senior forward Casey Shade picked up the helpers on Rushing's first of the season. In the second half of the second period, Crowe and senior forward Forrest Ellis would net their first goals of the season just 1:33 apart, with Crowe's coming on the power play, to create the 5-2 final.

Siok started in net for Franklin Pierce and suffered the loss (0-1-0) after making 25 saves before being pulled from the game after the fifth Wentworth goal. Junior Pat Dunn (Quincy, Mass.) stopped all 11 shots he faced in relief. Peck made 28 saves to pick up the win (1-0-0) between the pipes for Wentworth.

Wentworth posted a 41-30 advantage in shots on goal in the game and went 2-for-3 on the power play. Franklin Pierce finished 2-for-9 with the man-advantage.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics).