Worcester, Mass. (November 19) -- The Assumption College men's ice hockey team lost a 3-2 final in overtime to the Franklin Pierce Ravens on Wednesday evening after a goal with 30 seconds left in the third period forced overtime. Sophomore Ryan Gomez (Wayne, N.J. / Wayne Valley) scored his first goal of the season while junior Alex Erban (Attleboro, Mass. / Mount Saint Charles) notched his fourth in the loss.

Assumption scored the first goal of the match in the 17th minute of the first period. Senior Ben Kuzma (East Haven, Conn. / East Haven High School) passed the puck from the center of the ice to Gomez who attacked on a breakaway. He powered toward the goal, stopped short of Raven keeper Etinne Roy, moved right then quickly attacked left to put the Hounds up 1-0.

The Greyhounds held the lead until 10 minutes into the second period when Franklin Pierce notched one off the stick of Paddy Murphy. Murphy accepted a swift pass from behind the net from Connor Mauro to tie the score halfway through the game.

The squads remained deadlocked until 17 minutes into the third. Erban and captain Brennen Shaw (Presque Isle, Maine / Brewster Academy) took on Roy two-on-one. Erban advanced to beat out the Ravens' goalie, taking a shot from the right side and finding the bottom right corner of the net. The goal lifted the Hounds to a 2-1 lead with less than three minutes left to play.

FPU responded just over two minutes later by pulling their goalie from the net in favor of adding another skater to the floor. With just 30 seconds left on the clock, Mauro struck again on a wild play. Matt Batis posted a wide shot that went around the boards to Mauro. Mauro quickly gained control in the left circle, blasting a shot into the top right corner of the net to even the score and force overtime. 

The Ravens put the game away just 1:06 into overtime when Greyhound keeper Chris Hemhauser (Old Saybrook, Conn. / Glastonbury High School) attempted to collect a shot on goal. The puck made its way out and was tapped in by Brad Riccardi for the win.

Both teams finished even with 32 shots on goal apiece while Franklin Pierce won 50 faceoffs, compared to 38 for the Hounds. 

Erban led the offense with seven shots while defensively, Hemhauser posted 29 saves on the evening.

The Hounds return to action this Saturday, Nov. 22, when they host Southern New Hampshire at 6:35 p.m. at Buffone Arena.

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