HOOKSETT, N.H. (January 24, 2020) -- The Franklin Pierce University men's ice hockey team took to the road on Friday night for the first leg of a weekend home-and-home series against intrastate rival Southern New Hampshire and came away with a 3-2, overtime victory at the Ice Den. Sophomore forward Ryan Gorbett (Cleveland Heights, Ohio) potted the game-winner 2:20 into the overtime period.

With the Northeast-10 Conference win, Franklin Pierce snaps a three-game winless streak and improves its record to 11-7-2 (5-3-1 NE10). Junior goaltender Ian Wallace (West Islip, N.Y.) made 31 saves on 33 shots to earn the win (6-4-1). The 11 wins established a new program record for wins in a season.

Meanwhile, Southern New Hampshire lost for the eighth time in its last nine games (1-8-0) and fell to a record of 7-9-0 (5-4-0 NE10). Sophomore goaltender JT Kossakowski (2-3-0) was handed the loss despite a strong showing, as he stopped 32 of 35 shots sent his way.

The two teams will meet on Saturday at Franklin Pierce to round out the weekend home-and-home set, as well as the three-game season series. The two teams have split their first two meetings of the year and opening faceoff for the rubber game is set for 7 p.m. at Jason Ritchie Ice Arena in Winchendon, Mass.

The scoring was opened early, as SNHU jumped out to a one-goal lead within the first two minutes of the game. Sophomore forward Andy Somerville found himself space in front to receive a pass from behind the net from fellow sophomore forward Cole Stewart and made no mistake, as he buried his fourth goal of the season to give the Penmen their only lead of the game.

The Ravens tied the game before the first intermission, as the capitalized on a power-play opportunity at the 19:55 mark of the opening frame. With 15 seconds to go in the period, senior defenseman Mark Indelicato (Pembroke, Mass.) retrieved the puck from behind his own net and fired a pass up to senior forward Alex Lester (Methuen, Mass.) in front of the Penmen bench on the left-wing side. Lester then tapped it forward to the goal scorer, sophomore forward Chris Stevenson (Arvada, Colo.). Stevenson walked across the blue line and put a heavy shot over the blocker of Kossakowski.

Stevenson's goal would be the game's only power play goal. Franklin Pierce went 1-for-4 on the man-advantage, while SNHU went 0-for-3.

Freshman forward Conor Foley (Nahant, Mass.) would give the Ravens the lead 3:42 into the second period, as he picked the puck up on the right side of the net and bounced it off of the back of Kossakowski. The SNHU goaltender was caught out of position and trying to make his way back into the crease from behind the goal line. Foley leads all freshmen on the Ravens in goals (6), assists (9), and points (15) on the year.

SNHU would tie the game late in the third period, with just under four minutes to play in regulation. Senior forward Brett Strawn circled the Ravens' zone, as he started at the top of the left circle, moved behind Wallace's cage and ultimately spun to fire a shot into the top corner of the net from the top of the right circle. The goal was his second of the season and forced the game to overtime.

Overtime was a familiar sight for the Ravens, who have now needed an extra period six times this season (3-1-2) and have seen four of their last five games go to overtime. Gorbett would score the game winner at the 2:20 mark. Foley stripped a SNHU player of the puck below the goal line and found Gorbett streaking through the slot. Gorbett made a move to the outside to get around Kossakowski and slid the puck into the back of the net before raising his arms in celebration as his teammates surrounded him in the corner to celebrate the victory.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (https://www.fpuravens.com). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce ice hockey apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' brand new online store (https://www.shopfpuravens.com).