EAST BOSTON, Mass. (1/7/23) – The Franklin Pierce men's hockey team dropped their first decision of the new year to host Suffolk University on Saturday night by a final of 4-2 from the Louis E. Porrazzo Memorial Skating Rink.

The recent skid for the Ravens moves to three straight games, moving them to 8-8 (5-3 NE10) on the season with the loss. The non-conference Rams claim their first victory in seven games, and improve to 2-7-2 (1-7-1 CCC) with the home victory.

Neither team was able to break the ice through the opening period, with the host Rams outshooting the Ravens by an 11-9 margin. However, Pierce eventually opened the scoring on freshman Matt Horan's (Methuen, Mass.) fourth goal of the season at the 3:17 mark, with the helpers going to fellow freshman Devin Rohrich (Pittsburgh, Penn.) and senior defender Stephen Jacobs (Hingham, Mass.). Trailing 1-0, Suffolk took advantage of a pair of powerplay opportunities in the final 5:00 minutes of the second period, and cashed on both with goals from forward Peter Nugent and defender Phil Decresce, helping the Rams to a 2-1 lead heading into the final stanza.

Suffolk's Devin Lowe netted the insurance goal for the Rams with 4:03 left in the third period, putting them in winning position with a 3-1 lead. However, with the goalie pulled just over two minutes later, senior Dom Norris (Thurmont, Md.) kept the Ravens' spirits alive with a goal following a feed from Jackson Dobek (Natick, Mass.), cutting the deficit to 3-2 nearing the final minute of play. Determined to claim the win on their home ice, Suffolk took advantage Pierce's empty net and iced the game with 00:44 seconds remaining, and finished the task with the 4-2 victory.

Raven netminder Brogan McDonald (Gorham, Maine) shouldered the loss for the Ravens in just his second start of the season, and turning away 25-of-28 shots faced in the effort to move to 1-2 on the season. Suffolk starter Cal Wilcox faced 29 shots on the night, making 27 saves for the win. The Ravens additionally struggled on the penalty kill, surrendering the two first period goals to go 1-for-3 in the effort.

Men's hockey will have a week off before their next matchup at Northeast-10 rival Saint Anselm on Friday, January 13^th for a 7:00 p.m. puck drop in Manchester.