Siok turns aside 38 shots for Ravens

HOOKSETT, N.H. (January 19, 2011) – Senior forward Bobby Bryant scored two goals and added an assist to total three points on Wednesday night as Southern New Hampshire posted a 4-0 victory over the Franklin Pierce University ice hockey team in Northeast-10 Conference play at The Ice Den. Junior goaltender Ben Siok (Holden, Mass.) made 38 saves in defeat for Franklin Pierce.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 3-15-0 (2-4-0 Northeast-10), while Southern New Hampshire improves to 3-9-2 (1-2-1 Northeast-10). The teams have now split their first two meetings of the season, with the rubber game scheduled for Feb. 5 in Hooksett. The winner of that game will collect the two points in the Northeast-10 standings awarded to the winner of the season series.

After a scoreless first period, Southern New Hampshire opened the scoring 99 seconds into the middle stanza. Sophomore forward Tautvydas Shalna put home his second goal of the season, with the assist going to Bryant.

From there, the game went without another goal until deep into the third period. After the Ravens opened the final frame by generating pressure over the first six minutes, including a power-play opportunity, SNHU began to generate offensive chances of its own, including a power-play chance prior to the period's midway point. Though Franklin Pierce would kill off the penalty, the Penmen got a much needed insurance goal at the 10:35 mark. Bryant knocked home his second goal of the season, while freshman defenseman Trevor Nelson added the assist.

Senior forward Troy Maybury added his fifth goal of the season and Bryant netted his second of the night later in the third period to create the 4-0 final.

Siok started, made 38 saves and took the loss (0-8-0) in net for Franklin Pierce. He was relieved after the fourth SNHU goal in favor of senior Matt McCarthy (Natick, Mass.), who stopped both shots he faced over the final 3:38 of the game. Freshman Tyler Holske stopped all 30 shots sent his way to record his first career shutout and pick up the win (3-4-1) between the pipes for Southern New Hampshire.

Southern New Hampshire posted a 44-30 advantage in shots on goal on the night and went 1-for-5 on the power play. Franklin Pierce finished 0-for-6 with the man-advantage.

The Ravens return to the ice on Saturday, Jan. 22, when they travel to Plymouth State for a non-conference contest. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Hanaway Rink in Plymouth, N.H. Franklin Pierce next plays at home on Jan. 29 against Stonehill at 7 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).