Sweeney nets Ravens goal

WINCHENDON, Mass. (November 7, 2012) – Senior forward Steve Drago jammed home the rebound of a shot by sophomore defenseman Andrew Ball 67 seconds into overtime on Wednesday night to give Suffolk a 2-1 win over the Franklin Pierce University men's ice hockey team in non-conference play at Jason Ritchie Ice Arena. Senior goaltender Pat Dunn (Quincy, Mass.) made 31 saves in net, as Franklin Pierce was outshot 33-17 on the night, but suffered the loss (1-1-0).

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 1-1-0 (0-0-0 Northeast-10), while Suffolk improves to 2-0-0 (0-0-0 ECAC Northeast).

After a scoreless first period, the Ravens opened the scoring 6:10 into the second period when senior forward Michael Carr (South Boston, Mass.) and sophomore defenseman Brendan Fitzpatrick (Winthrop, Mass.) combined to spring senior forward Roscoe Sweeney (Falmouth, Mass.) through the neutral zone on a partial breakaway down the right wing. Sweeney raced to the bottom of the right-wing circle and snapped a shot that beat Suffolk sophomore goaltender Brett Roman inside the left post for Sweeney's second goal in as many games to open the season.

Franklin Pierce would kill a penalty later in the second and took the 1-0 lead into the final five minutes of regulation before Suffolk drew even with 3:25 to play in the third. The puck came free to the right point, where junior defenseman Wes Bonnell held the zone and slid a pass to sophomore defenseman Scott Matthieu at the left point. Matthieu wound and fired, and his shot would deflect off of traffic in front of the net to beat Dunn and tie the game, ultimately setting up Drago's overtime winner. It was Matthieu's first career goal.

The game featured just five penalties, all minors, and little power-play offense to speak of. Suffolk went 0-for-2 with the man advantage while coming up with a pair of shots on goal. Franklin Pierce did not register a shot on any of its three power plays, including one in the final seven minutes of the third period, preceding the Matthieu goal.

Roman made 16 saves to pick up the win (2-0-0) in net for Suffolk.

The Ravens return to the ice on Saturday, Nov. 10, when they remain home to host Assumption in their Northeast-10 Conference opener. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Jason Ritchie Ice Arena.

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). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce men's ice hockey apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' brand new online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).