Tracy’s Overtime Tally Lifts Ice Hockey to 5-4 Win Over SNHU in Season Finale
Framingham, Mass. – Sophomore forward Tom Tracy (Wakefield, Mass) scored with just 19 seconds remaining in overtime to lift the Framingham State University ice hockey team to a 5-4 victory over Southern New Hampshire University this evening in non-conference action at Framingham's Loring Arena.
With the win the Rams conclude the 2011-2012 campaign at 6-15-4, while the Pennmen finish their season at 2-20-1.
The Rams wasted no time getting on the board as freshman Brendan McCarron (Millbury, Mass.) stole the puck at center ice and sent a pass to sophomore Eric Ward (Haverhill, Mass.) up the right side. Ward sent the puck ahead to classmate Daniel Miressi (Monroe, Conn.) who made a nice move and beat the SNHU goal keeper with a shot stick side giving the Rams a 1-0 lead just 56 seconds into the game.
Framingham State doubled their lead 30 seconds later when senior Charles Vaillancourt (La Valle, WI) knocked home a loose puck in front of the net for his first of the season.
Southern New Hampshire would cut the Rams lead in half less than a minute later as freshman Dane Caracino (Belmont, Mass.) found classmate Steven Berry (Ashburn, VA) alone in front of the net and Berry connected for a power play goal.
Caracino would tie the game at two all midway through the first as he connected on a power play goal, off assists from senior Frank O'Connor (Arlington, Mass.) and freshman Casey Goll (Winthrop, Mass.)
Framingham State would take the lead back two minutes later as sophomore Jay Nicholls (Middleton, Mass.) snuck behind the Southern New Hampshire defense coming out of the penalty box and beat the SNHU goaltender on the breakaway. Tracy and senior Aran Ward (Dunstable, Mass.) assisted on the tally. The Pennmen would tie the game just before the end of the first on Michael Sttipani's (Charlestown, Mass.) second marker of the season.
Framingham State controlled the pace of play in the second period outshooting the Pennmen 17-9, but they were unable to break the deadlock until late in frame. With just over four minutes remaining Vaillancourt controlled the puck in the defensive zone and hit Eric Ward with a pass as he skated through the middle. Ward once again hit Miressi with a pass ahead and Miressi beat the SNHU goaltender on a one-on-one for his 12th goal of the season.
The Rams maintained the 4-3 advantage until midway through the third period when Tyler Pascucci (North Reading, Mass.) deflected home a loose puck in front of the net that had deflected off the Rams goalie for his 6th of the season.
Southern New Hampshire had three power play opportunities in the final ten minutes of regulation to score the go ahead goal, but the Rams were able to kill off all three and force overtime with the game knotted at 4-4.
Southern New Hampshire had a chance to score first in the extra period when midway through Caracino carried the puck into the offensive zone and just had the goalie to beat, but senior Todd Rowley (Billerica, Mass.) came up with the diving save. Miressi had a chance a minute later to seal the game for the hosts, but his shot from in front sailed wide of the net.
The Rams called timeout with 1:05 remaining in overtime and coming out of the timeout the faceoff was in their defensive zone. Framingham State was able to move the puck up the ice as Vaillancourt hit senior Corey Chaney (Flint, MI) along the right boards and Chaney fired a shot at the net as time wound down. Tracy was right in front to redirect the puck into the net for the game winner with 19 ticks left on the clock.
The Rams outshot the Pennmen 42-39 in the game with Rowley picking up the victory making 35 saves, while Tyler Holske (Attleboro, Mass.) made 37 stops but picked up the loss.
Vaillancourt led the Rams with three points in the game on a goal and a pair of helpers. Tracy finished with a goal and an assist for the Rams, while Miressi picked up a pair of goals and Eric Ward picked up a pair of assists.
The Pennmen were led by Berry and Caracino who each picked up two points on a goal and an assist.
Prior to the game, the Rams recognized the eight members of the 2012 senior class – Chris Giebe (Berlin, Germany), Chaney, Vaillancourt, Tom Manning (Rockland, Mass.), Aran Ward, Jon Vaillancourt (La Valle, WI), Al Cutts (Avon, Mass.) and Rowley – for their contribution to the FSU ice hockey program over the past four years.