NASHUA, N.H. - The Rivier University men's ice hockey team dropped their home opener, 8-2, against intra-state foe Franklin Pierce University on Friday night at Conway Arena.
With the result, the Raiders moved to 0-1-0 (0-0-0 MASCAC), while the Ravens moved to 1-0-0 (0-0-0 NE10).
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Mason Meyer received his first start of the season in net for the Raiders, making several early saves to keep Franklin Pierce off the scoreboard.
- Franklin Pierce opened the scoring at 8:05 of the first period with an even-strength goal from Colden Lawrence.
- The Ravens added another goal at the 10:00 mark to take a 2-0 lead.
- Senior Damon Kiyawasew put the Raiders on the board at 17:19 of the opening period, finding the back of the net off assists from Nick Zanin Deschamps and Brayden Dechamps to cut the deficit to one.
- Franklin Pierce opened the second period with a goal just 1:08 in before adding a power-play tally at 3:43 to extend their lead to 4-1.
- The Ravens added another even-strength goal at 9:13, prompting a Rivier timeout and a change in net as Josh Kirton entered in relief of Meyer.
- Tyler Sitnikov brought the Raiders back within three at 17:38 in the second period, scoring a shorthanded goal off an assist from Kiyawasew to make it a 5-2 contest.
- Franklin Pierce scored three more times in the third period, including two power-play goals, to secure the 8-2 victory.
BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN
- Franklin Pierce outshot Rivier 50-25 throughout the contest.
- The Ravens finished 3-for-5 on the power play, while the Raiders added one shorthanded goal.
- Kiyawasew and Sitnikov each scored their first goals of the season for the Raiders.
- Mason Meyer made 20 saves in the opening 29:13 before Josh Kirton entered in relief, stopping 18 shots.
- Franklin Pierce held the advantage in the faceoff circle, winning 56.9% of draws compared to Rivier's 43.1%.
UP NEXT
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Rivier men's ice hockey will return to action tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 31, as they look to bounce back in the second round of their home-and-home series against the Franklin Pierce Ravens. The game is set for 7:00 p.m. at Jason Ritchie Ice Arena in Winchendon, Mass.
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