Box Score FITCHBURG, Mass. – The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth men's ice hockey team utilized a three-goal second period to power past Fitchburg State University, 5-3, in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference on Tuesday evening.
The UMass Dartmouth second period surge was highlighted by Casey Shea (Woburn, Mass.), who etched a pair of goals in the scoring column and added an assist. In the opening two minutes of the stanza with the score knotted at one-all, Shea connected with sophomore Mike Kelly (Stoneham, Mass.) for a power-play score from the point. Later in the second, Shea maneuvered around a Falcon defender and slipped the puck over the red line to give the visitors a two goal advantage (3-1) with five minutes and 41 seconds remaining. In the closing seconds of the period, the Woburn, Mass. product picked up the loose puck inside the Corsair's defensive zone and went on a 1-on-0 breakaway for his second strike of the contest to give UMass Dartmouth a 4-1 lead.
The Corsairs wrapped up the regular season with a 7-15-3 overall record and a 6-9-1 record in the conference circuit. Fitchburg slipped to 10-12-3 and 8-8-2 in the MASCAC.
In the opening period, UMass Dartmouth was able to get on the board first at the 10 minute, 12 second mark. Junior Garrett Allen (Dartmouth, Mass.) delivered a feed to Tanner Zacharewicz (Ludlow, Mass.), who then fired a one-timer from atop the faceoff dot into the back of the net. Fitchburg delivered the equalizer with under a minute remaining in the first. Junior Paul Falanga put a rebound opportunity past the net-minder for his fifth goal of the season. Earning assists on the play were Ryan Connolly and Jon Johannesson.
Following the second period, the Falcons managed to cut the deficit in half with a Ryan Connolly goal at the 17 minute, 47 second mark. In the closing seconds of the contest, freshman Jaret Babych (North Vancouver, B.C.) solidified the Corsair win with an empty net score.
In net, sophomore JJ Solloway (Derry, N.H.) eclipsed the half-century mark for the second time this season as he stopped 50 attempts en route to his seventh win. Ryan Wysocki turned away 32 saves for the Fitchburg State.
The Falcons held a 53-37 advantage in shots, while UMass Dartmouth converted one of its three power play chances.
Both teams await the final seeding for the MASCAC Tournament, which will begin with first round action on Saturday.
