Golden Bears Come up Short in 4-2 Loss to Franklin Pierce

Maione posts first career two-goal game

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (January 4, 2019) – The Western New England University ice hockey team opened its second semester schedule with a 4-2 loss to Franklin Pierce University on Friday afternoon in non-conference action at the Olympia Ice Center.

Top Performers
Senior forward Chris Maione (Stouffville, Ont.) scored both of Western New England's goals, while sophomores John O'Brien (Staten Island, N.Y.) and Anthony Frati (Churchville, N.Y.) and freshmen Connor Geshan (Oakton, Va.) and Colton McAllister (Henniker, N.H.) recorded one assist each.

Franklin Pierce utilized a balanced offensive attack that featured four different goal scorers. Freshman forward Ryan Gorbett (Cleveland Heights, Ohio) scored and added an assist, while sophomore Justin Blanchette (Monroe, Conn.) and junior Matthew Toombs (Pleasanton, Calif.) handed out two helpers each.  

Game Review
Franklin Pierce took advantage of a power play opportunity to open the scoring midway through the first period, when senior forward Nate Indelicato (Pembroke, Mass.) found the back of the net with the help of Blanchette and freshman David Cambria (West Bridgewater, Mass.). 

Western New England equalized on Maione's second goal of the season 4:50 into the second period, but the Ravens restored their advantage just 34 seconds later when freshman Chris Stevenson (Arvada, Colo.) scored at the 5:24 mark.

Franklin Pierce then went up 3-1 on a goal by sophomore Paul Antkowiak (Salem, N.H.) with 9:09 left in the second period, but this time the Golden Bears had a quick response as Maione buried his second of the game just ten seconds later.

Penalties hampered Western New England in the third period, as the Ravens capitalized on another power play to take a 4-2 lead with 11:04 remaining. Later in the frame, a five-minute major called on the Golden Bears limited their ability to rally as Franklin Pierce held on for the win.

Notes
• Western New England outshot Franklin Pierce 25-19, but the Ravens held a 34-30 edge in the faceoff circle.
• Maione has scored in consecutive games for the first time in his career.
• Junior Kyle Carducci (Rocky Hill, Conn.) made 15 saves in the loss.

Up Next
Western New England (3-11) will be right back on the road tomorrow with another non-conference contest at Framingham State, while Franklin Pierce (6-6) returns home to host Westfield State next Tuesday.