Becker nets Ravens goal

WINCHENDON, Mass. (January 10, 2015) – Fitchburg State sophomore forward Cameron Snyder, sophomore forward Jon Johannesson and senior forward Sean Loebs all struck in the first 9:27 on Saturday night to open up a 3-0 lead, as the Franklin Pierce University men's ice hockey team suffered a 4-1 setback at the hands of the Falcons in non-conference play at Jason Ritchie Ice Arena. Freshman forward Brett Becker (Devils Lake, N.D.) scored his first collegiate goal in defeat for the Ravens.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 3-10-0 (2-3-0 Northeast-10), while Fitchburg State improves to 4-7-2 (2-3-1 Massachusetts State).

Fitchburg State scored on three of its first six shots on goal on Saturday night, as it jumped out front quickly and would not look back. The Falcons' entire top line got into the act on the first goal, at the 4:10 mark of the first period, after they worked the puck around the offensive zone quickly. Junior forward Max Lorenzen sent the puck down the left-wing side to junior forward John Celli in the left-wing circle. Celli was then able to put a pass across the slot to Snyder at the edge of the right circle and the latter one-timed his ninth of the season to the back of the net.

Fitchburg State struck again only 2:45 later, on the second of the campaign for Johannesson. Freshman forward Jordan Furlane sent the puck ahead to spring senior forward Kevin Holmes into the attacking third with the puck on the right side and Johannesson with him in a 2-on-1. Holmes laid the puck off on the left for Johannesson, who then put his shot top shelf from the left-wing circle to make it 2-0.

Less than three minutes later, at 9:27, freshman forward Corey Hayashi moved the puck to freshman defenseman Daniel Robertson at the left point. Robertson then found a passing lane across the slot and down to the right-wing circle, where Loebs was waiting for the feed. Loebs quickly put his first of the season away before Franklin Pierce senior goaltender Kyle Moran (Marshfield, Mass.) could slide across the crease. The third goal in quick succession to open the game spelled the end of the night for Moran, who was visibly agitated with his outing, as he was lifted in favor of freshman goaltender Etienne Roy (Saint-Henri, Quebec).

Franklin Pierce netted the second period's only goal, at the 6:18 mark. The Ravens took control in the neutral zone, and senior defenseman Brendan FitzPatrick (Winthrop, Mass.) pushed the puck ahead for Becker. Becker had a head of steam and wound to blast his shot as he stepped across the blue line and into the offensive zone. His drive cleanly beat Fitchburg State senior goaltender Ryan Wysocki inside the left post for Becker's first career goal.

Fitchburg State scored the third period's only goal, 95 seconds into the stanza on the power play, to create the 4-1 final. Lorenzen netted his second score of the season on the man-advantage, while senior defensemen Craig Halpin and Brett Nussbaum added the assists.

Moran made just three saves against six shots over 9:27 to start the game and would suffer the loss (1-6-0) in goal for Franklin Pierce. Roy made 23 saves against 24 shots the rest of the way. Wysocki turned aside 33 of the 34 shots on his goal to pick up the win (3-7-2) in net for Fitchburg State.

The Ravens return to the ice on Saturday, Jan. 17, when they travel to Suffolk for a non-conference contest. Opening faceoff is set for 7 p.m. at Steriti Memorial Rink in Boston. Franklin Pierce next plays at home on Tuesday, Jan. 20 against Southern New Hampshire at 7:30 p.m.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). 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 men's ice hockey apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' brand new online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).