Ice Hockey Drops Season Opener in Overtime 6-5 to Southern New Hampshire
Framingham, Mass. – The Framingham State University ice hockey team opened the 2013 season this evening with a heartbreaking 6-5 overtime loss to Southern New Hampshire University in non-conference action at Framingham's Loring Arena.
The Rams are now 0-1, while the Penmen who opened their season last week are now 1-1 on the year.
Junior Ryan McDonald (Anchorage, AK) led the Rams with two goals and an assist for three points, while senior Eric Ward (Haverhill, Mass.) chipped in a pair of goals and junior Brendan McCarron (Millbury, Mass.) finished with a pair of helpers.
The Penmen were led by three points from sophomore Joe Collins (Mansfield, Mass.) on two goals, including the game-winner just 54 seconds into the extra session, and an assist. Sophomore Jim Gabrione (Boca Raton, Fla.) racked up a pair of goals, while junior Casey Goll (Winthrop, Mass.) collected two assists.
The two teams combined for eight power play goals in the game with the Penmen converting on 5-of-7 power play opportunities including a power play in the final minute of regulation that carried into overtime resulting in the game-winner from Collins. The Rams converted on 3-of-8 with the man advantage.
Southern New Hampshire got on the board first just under five minutes into the game on a power play goal from junior Stephen Berry (Ashburn, Va.), but the Rams scored twice, once on an unassisted even strength tally by McDonald and on a power play goal by Ward to take a 2-1 lead after one.
The Penmen quickly tied the score in the second on Collins' first of the game, but McDonald put the Rams back up by one with a wrist shot from the left side that snuck under the cross bar. The Rams lead was short lived as Nathan Bergeron (Auburn, Maine) tallied the Penmen's only even strength goal of the night to tie the score just 24 seconds after McDonald's goal. Senior Daniel Miressi (Monroe, Conn.) would score for the Rams at 11:10 and Gabrione would add a power play goal off a Collins helper late in the period sending the game into the second intermission tied at 4-4.
Southern New Hampshire grabbed the lead back 6:11 into the third when Goll hit Gabrione on the wing and Gabrione found the back of the net for the 5-4 advantage. The Rams would tie the score with just under eight minutes remaining as Ward took a pass streaking up the left wing and one timed a shot into the net. The game would go to overtime where Collins put the visitors on top for good with his power play tally less than a minute into the extra frame.
The Penmen outshot the Rams 41-31 in the game. Sophomore Dave Letarte (Salem, Mass.) picked up the victory in the goal making 26 saves, while senior Nick Cafrelli (San Jose, CA) was tagged with the loss despite making 36 stops.
The Rams are back in action next Tuesday evening when they host Westfield State University in their MASCAC opener at 7:20 p.m., while the Penmen host Plymouth State University on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.