THE BASICS:

-Score: Assumption 6, Framingham State 4

-Records: Assumption (3-6-2, 1-3-0 NE-10); Framingham State (2-8-0)

-The Lead: The Assumption College ice hockey team demonstrated an impressive offensive effort on Wednesday night, coming back from an early 1-0 deficit for a 6-4 victory over Framingham State University in front of a home crowd. The Hounds scored twice in the final three minutes to prevent overtime and claim the win.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

-Framingham State took the lead in the fifth minute when Richard Hill sent a shot from the blue line that found its way past first-time starting goaltender Brian Nazzaro (Braintree, Mass. / New Hampton).

-Just 3:27 into the second period, senior Brandon Bete (Greenfield, Mass. / Northfield Mount Hermon) netted the equalizer, assisted by junior Ryan Gomez (Wayne, N.J. / Wayne Valley) and freshman Matt Damelio (Rochester, N.Y. / Northwood).

-The Hounds scored again for a 2-1 advantage less than two minutes later when junior Nick Fenuccio (Keene, N.H. / Keene), assisted by junior Stephen Picard (Enfield, Conn. / Loomis Chaffee), posted his second goal of the season.

-Framingham State netted its second goal of the game at 14:04 before the Hounds responded just 45 seconds later when Gomez blasted a rebound into the top left side of the net, 3-2 Hounds.

-Both teams scored back-to-back to open the third period. FSU's Jack Murphy scored at 2:08 followed quickly by Picard at 2:49 to make it 4-3. Picard took the shot from the left and buried the puck into the lower right side of the net.

-Framingham State notched yet another even-strength goal at 14:19 to tie the match 4-4.

-Sophomore Matt Cowles (Farmington, Conn. / Avon Old Farms) put the Hounds up for good, 5-4, with less than three minutes left on the clock, assisted by Picard, before senior Alex Erban (Attleboro, Mass. / Mount Saint Charles) scored the insurance goal at 18:52 for the 6-4 victory.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

-Picard led the Hounds with three points on one goal and two assists on the day.

-Gomez, Fenuccio and Bete each followed with two points on one goal and one assist apiece.

-Cowles finished the game a team-best +3.

-Overall the Hounds outshot Framingham State 52-49 despite starting out the first period with a 22-12 deficit in shots. 

-With only one penalty in the entire contest, Framingham State was 0-for-0 in power-play opportunities while the Hounds finished 0-for-1.

-Nazzaro registered 45 saves in his 60 minutes in net compared to 46 for the Rams' Alessio Muggli in 59:37.

BEHIND THE BOX SCORE:

-The game marks Nazzaro's first career start and first career victory.

-With his two points on the day, Gomez now holds the solo top spot in the NE-10 rankings in points with 14. He also continues to rank first in the league in assists with 12. Two NE-10 opponents are tied for second behind Gomez with nine apiece.

-Bete ranks just behind Gomez tied for second with 12 points on seven goals and five assists on the season. Bete remains tied for first in the NE-10 in goals with seven. 

-Cowles' goal marks his first of the season, third of his career. The goal also marks his first career gamewinner.

-Cowles currently ranks second in the NE-10 in defenseman scoring with seven points on one goal and six assists. Junior Kevin Murphy (North Conway, NH / Kennett) follows just behind in third with six points on four goals and two assists.

UP NEXT:

-Assumption returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 12, as they host NE-10 opponent Saint Michael's at 6:35 p.m. Last time the Hounds saw the Saint Anselm was last season when the Purple Knights claimed an NE-10 Semifinal victory in Manchester, N.H., knocking Assumption out of the conference tournament.

STAY CONNECTED:

-For the latest on Assumption College Athletics, follow the Hounds via social media on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. For more information, contact the Office of Athletic Communications at 508-767-7240. 

-Fans can also sign up for email updates and text message alerts for the men's ice hockey team and all of the other 23 Assumption varsity sports by clicking here.

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