Ice Hockey Bested By Fitchburg State, 7-3

Fitchburg, MA --- Fitchburg State freshman Jake Martin (Montreal, Quebec/ILC) posted a game-best four points on one goal and three helpers as the Falcons defeated Worcester State, 7-3 in MASCAC ice hockey action this evening at the Wallace Civic Center.

In the opening period, Fitchburg State (3-3, 1-1 MASCAC) took the lead just 56 seconds into the frame as sophomore John Celli (Leominster, MA/Valley Junior Warriors) found the back of the net for his fourth tally of the season for the 1-0 margin.

The Lancers (3-2, 0-2 MASCAC) responded at the 19:07 mark when junior Andrew Bates (Marblehead, MA/Boston Junior Bulldogs) blasted a shot from the right point into the upper right corner of the net for his first tally of the year, using an assist from freshman Alex Taddeo (Franklin, MA/Boston Junior Rangers) to knot the score 1-1 going into first intermission.

In the second stanza, Worcester State grabbed the lead at the 1:17 mark as Bates struck for his second score of the contest to make the score 2-1. Freshman Alex Dewitz (Oronco, MI/Helena Bighorns) and junior Cody Osburn (Sacramento, CA/Fresno Monsters) assisted on the play.

The Falcons retied the game 2-2 less than a minute later when sophomore Paul Falanga (East Haven, CT/Trinity Pawling) struck for his first goal in a Falcons uniform.

Fitchburg State regained the lead for good at the 4:43 mark as Martin gathered a feed in front of the net from Lorenzen and Celli and slipped the puck inside the near post for the 3-2 advantage before senior Shawn Bradley (Tewksbury, MA) made it a two score game with his first marker of the year with just under a minute remaining in the period for the 4-2 margin heading into the final period of play. 

In the final frame, Fitchburg State upped its lead just 2:12 into the period when sophomore  Ryan Connolly (Wappingers Falls, NY/New York Applecore) connected for a power play tally to make the score 5-2.

Following a goal by Lorenzen, Worcester State cut the lead to 5-3 with just over 12 minutes remaining in the game as junior Stephen Rock (Tulsa, OK/Idaho Junior Steelheads) collected his second goal on the year before the Falcons capped the scoring midway through the frame when sophomore Ryan Bedard (Derby Line, VT/Bay State Breakers) fired a shot from just inside the blue line for his second score of the season resulting in the 7-3 final.

For the contest, Worcester State held a 38-33 margin in shots, while the Falcons notched five power plays throughout the match.

Between the pipes, junior Dan Finn (Fitchburg, MA) posted 35 saves for the Fitchburg State in the complete game effort, while sophomore Drew Case (Plano, TX/Northern Cyclones) totaled 26 stops for the Lancers in the setback.

Both teams continue MASCAC action on the road on Thursday. Worcester State takes the Route 9 trek to faceoff against Framingham State on Thursday at 7:30 while Fitchburg State visits Westfield State at 7:35 PM.

Major Portions of Release Courtesy of Fitchburg State Sports Information

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