Chighisola nets tying goal late in third period

Box Score

WESTFIELD, Mass. (November 8, 2008) – Freshman forward Anthony Chighisola (Whitman, Mass./Archbishop Williams) scored the tying goal with 4:27 remaining in regulation on Saturday night as the Franklin Pierce University ice hockey team rallied from a two-goal deficit to force a 2-2 tie against Westfield State in front of a standing room only crowd of 1, 063 at Amelia Park Ice Arena in the season-opening game for both teams. The contest marked the first varsity ice hockey game in 20 years for Westfield State.

Junior forward Casey Mignone (Ramsey, N.J./Ramsey) scored both goals for Westfield State on the evening. His first goal game just past the midway point of the first period as sophomore defender Dylan Scanlon (Longmeadow, Mass./Springfield Jr. Falcons) and freshman forward Pat Nelson (Cary, N.C./Queen City Storm) assisted on the game’s first marker at the 10:48 mark. After the remainder of the first period went scoreless, Mignone pushed the lead to 2-0 for Owls at the 12:54 mark of the second frame. This time, sophomore forward Dennis Zak (Dover, N.J./Cobourg Cougars) and freshman forward Jimmy Alexander (Braintree, Mass./Bay State Breakers) provided the assists on the power-play goal.

It looked like Westfield State would take the 2-0 lead into the second intermission, but the Ravens sliced the lead in half with a power-play tally with just 37 seconds remaining in the period. Senior forward Jeff Kasper (South Boston, Mass./Catholic Memorial) netted the first goal of the year for Franklin Pierce, with assists going to sophomore forward Sean Woodring (Rogue River, Ore./Rogue River) and freshman forward Nate Schursky (Scottsdale, Ariz./Eugene Generals). Later, Chighisola provided the tying marker with 4:27 to play in regulation, as he scored his first career goal off a feed from junior defenseman Rob Perretta (Staten Island, N.Y./Stanstead College (Quebec)).

There was no shortage of offensive chances in the contest, as the two teams combined for 79 shots on goal, with Franklin Pierce enjoying a 42-37 edge. Junior goaltender Jon Tuttle (Concord, N.H./Concord) made 35 saves in net for Franklin Pierce to earn the victory. Sophomore Ray Monroe ( Shrewsbury, Mass./Springfield Jr. Falcons) made 40 saves in defeat for Westfield State.

The Ravens (0-0-1, 0-0-1 ECAC Northeast) return to the ice on Wednesday, Nov. 12, when they travel to Nichols for an ECAC Northeast contest. Faceoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Westfield State (0-0-1, 0-0-1 ECAC Northeast) returns to action on Nov. 15 against Plymouth State.