Ice Hockey Earns Draw with Western New England
Framingham, Mass. – The Framingham State University ice hockey team opened the second half of the season at home this evening skating to a 3-3 draw with Western New England University in non-conference action at Loring Arena.
After the draw, the Rams are now 2-7-2 on the season, while the Golden Bears move to 1-9-2.
Western New England took the early lead with a power play goal from Joe Budnick (Newington, Conn.), who finished the game with a hat trick for the visitors, just 2:55 into the contest.
The Rams would follow with three straight goals to open up a 3-1 lead. Freshman Tyler Colacchio (Bellingham, Mass.) got the Rams on the board midway through the first with his second of the season. Senior Ryan McDonald (Anchorage, AK) scored his 10th of the season with just over three minutes left in the first and Colacchio followed with his second of the game in the opening minutes of the third.
Budnick brought the Golden Bears back within one midway through the second with his second power play goal of the game. He completed the hat trick and tied the game, 3-3, 4:26 into the third.
The Golden Bears had a pair of scoring chances in the closing minutes of regulation with the man advantage, but Framingham goaltender Alessio Muggli (Rueti, Switzerland) came up with the pair of huge saves.
The Rams had the best chance for victory in overtime, but McDonald's bid was save by WNEU net minder Scott Brown (Sewickley, Pa.).
The Rams held a 41-30 advantage in shots for the game, but the Golden Bears converted 2-of-7 with the man advantage. Muggli finished the game with 27 stops, while Brown compiled 38.
The Rams are back in action on Saturday when they host Westfield State University in a MASCAC tilt beginning at 2:40 p.m., while the Golden Bears travel to SUNY Canton on January 16th at 7 p.m.