WINCHENDON, Mass. (January 25, 2020) -- The Franklin Pierce men's hockey team took to the ice on Saturday night, just 24 hours after a thrilling, 3-2 overtime Southern New Hampshire, for the rubber game of the three-game season series between the two. Led by two goals and an assist from senior forward James Morrissey (West Haven, Conn.), the Ravens were able to climb back from a three-goal deficit, but it was not enough in the end, as the visiting Penmen picked up a 4-3 win at the Jason Ritchie Ice Arena.

With the loss in the Northeast-10 Conference affair, Franklin Pierce falls to 11-8-2 (5-4-1 NE10), while Southern New Hampshire improves to 8-9-0 (6-4-0 NE10).

The scoring opened only 27 seconds into the game, as the Penmen picked up the puck in their own end and quickly moved into the Ravens' zone on a 2-on-1. Freshman forward Matt Monreal crossed through the middle of the slot and put a low shot off of the pad of Ravens sophomore goaltender Kyle Martin (Westford, Mass.), before grabbing his own rebound and lifting it into the top corner of the net to give SNHU the first lead of the game. It was Monreal's second goal of the season.

The Penmen would gain a three-goal lead before the end of the first period courtesy of freshman forward George Thurston. Thurston picked up his first of the night at the 6:41 mark, with tap between the legs of Martin to finish a give-and-go play with junior teammate Kyle Galloway. Thurston's second goal would come just over four minutes later, at 10:47 while on the powerplay. Thurston picked up the puck on the left side of the net and put it by Martin, who was caught out of position on the play. That would be the end of Martin's night, as Ravens coach Sean Millerick opted to put sophomore goaltender Adam Carman (Vestal, N.Y.) between the pipes for the rest of the contest.

The tables turned in the second period, as Franklin Pierce put home the next three goals. All three came on the power play, which finished the night 3-for-4. The first was Morrissey's ninth of the year, as he was found below the goal line by sophomore forward Ryan Gorbett (Cleveland Heights, Ohio). Morrissey popped out in front of the left post and put the puck past SNHU senior goaltender Kurt Gutting

Morrissey would strike again on the power play at 17:44 to bring the Ravens within one. Sophomore forward Chris Stevenson (Arvada, Colo.) held the puck at the top of the right circle before firing a back door pass to Morrissey, who once again slid the puck past Gutting and made it a 3-2 game.

Just 35 seconds later, at 18:19, the Ravens found another power-play tally to level to score at 3-3. Stevenson got a pass from Morrissey as he crossed the blue line and carried the puck all the way to the front of the Penmen net. Stevenson threw the puck on net and watched as it trickled by Gutting to tie the game. It was the 11^th goal of the campaign for Stevenson.

Before the period could end, the Penmen would score the eventual game-winner, on a power play of their own. Sophomore forward Cole Stewart rifled home a one-timer from the middle of the left circle, off of assists from sophomore defenseman Phil Heisse and sophomore forward Travis Quigley, as SNHU worked the puck quickly around the perimeter with the man-advantage. Stewart's fifth of the season found the back of the net with just 18 seconds remaining in the second frame.

The third period was scoreless despite a last-minute push for the Ravens with the extra attacker on the ice. Gorbett had one final chance for Franklin Pierce, as he teed up a one-timer in the left circle in the dying seconds, but Gutting made the save to preserve the victory for the Penmen.

Martin finished with just six saves against nine shots over the opening 10:47. Carman (0-1-1) followed with 20 saves against 21 shots the rest of the way, but was stuck with the loss anyway. Gutting (5-6-0) turned aside 29 of 32 shots in the SNHU net to pick up the victory.

The Ravens return to the ice for an NE10 matchup against Stonehill College at home on Friday Jan., 31. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. at Jason Ritchie Ice Arena on Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night.

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).