WINCHENDON, Mass. (1/28/23) - The Franklin Pierce men's hockey team failed to force a split in a weekend series against Assumption University, dropping Saturday afternoon's matchup by a 5-4 final score at Jason Ritchie Ice Arena. 

The Ravens fall to 9-14 (6-7 NE-10) on the season after the loss, while Assumption improves to 14-9 (10-5 NE-10) with the victory.

The Greyhounds struck first in the opening period after a snipe from bottom of the right circle from Collin Montgomery on the power play. Moments later, the Greyhounds followed it up with another goal, this time off the stick of forward Ryan Decker to extend their lead to 2-0 heading into the locker room for the second period.

After being outscored 3-1 in the second period in last night's game, the Ravens flipped the script this time around. Senior forward Conor Foley (Nahant, MA) cut the deficit in half with an even-strength goal just twelve seconds into the period, pulling Pierce to within one with the assist going to Matt Horan (Methuen, MA). However, the Raven momentum was short-lived as Assumption quickly responded with a goal from winger Dara Conneely to re-establish the two-goal cushion at 3-1. Just over four minutes in, Chris Stevenson (Arvada, CO) helped the Ravens get back on the scoresheet with a beautiful backhand shot in the low slot, once again cutting it down to a 3-2 deficit. Despite the continued effort to stay in the race, the Ravens failed to contain Assumption's speed following the Stevenson's goal, and would fall back into a two-goal hole as forward Michael Zampanti capitalized on a breakaway goal, making it a 4-2 at 8:18.

For good measure, the Ravens ended the period on a high note as Chris Stevenson fed a marvelous back-door pass to Conor Foley, setting him up for his second goal of the game on the power play, closing out the third period trailing the visitors 4-3.

After a high-scoring second period with 5 total goals, the third period proved to be more of a defensive battle between the two teams. However, the Ravens wasted no time as junior Cody Rumsey (York, PA) tied the game at 4-4 just 1:33 in following a feed from Conor Foley 

It took the Greyhounds until the 13:14 mark to reclaim the lead, which they did on the power play off a goal from top-line centerman William Smith as he sent a short side shot from inside the circles past Raven netminder Brogan McDonald (Gorham, Maine). This would prove to be the game-winning goal for the Greyhounds, completing their  weekend sweep of the Ravens.

The game included a high level of physical elements as both teams logged a combined 79 penalty minutes. Brogan McDonald suffered the loss in goal for the Ravens (1-6-0), making 28 saves on 33 shots. Michael Hauswirth earned the win for the Greyhounds (4-0-0) after turning aside 20-of-23 shots, but left the crease and did not return following the second intermission. Drew Benedict came in relief of Hauswirth and stopped 9-of-10 shots faced.

Despite the loss, it was a cause for celebration for graduate Chris Stevenson, who hit major milestones with his two-point afternoon. On the goal, Stevenson recorded his 100 career point with the Ravens, and additionally became the program's single-season assist record holder on his helper for the second Foley goal. 

The Ravens will head north to Manchester, New Hampshire on Tuesday, January 31^st to face-off against their heated in-state, and in-conference rival Saint Anselm at 6:00 p.m.