Men’s Ice Hockey Downs Franklin Pierce, 3-1

NASHUA, N.H. – The Rivier men's ice hockey team secured a 3-1 victory over Franklin Pierce on Friday night at Conway Arena, marking its first win of the new year.

The Raiders improved to 4-5-1, while the Ravens dropped to 0-13-1.

The game opened with both teams trading chances in the first period. Midway through, Rivier drew a hooking penalty to go on the power play. Senior forward Cormac Hayes set up junior defenseman Carter Poulin, whose shot hit the post and rebounded to graduate forward Cody Rumsey. Rumsey capitalized, giving the Raiders a 1-0 lead.

Rivier carried its momentum into the second period as Poulin scored his second point of the night, doubling the Raiders' lead with assists from graduate defenseman Tyler Duderstadt and Rumsey. Despite outshooting Rivier 11-3 in the latter half of the period, Franklin Pierce could not get on the score sheet.

Early in the third period, junior defenseman Cameron Lawhorne scored his first goal of the season from a setup from senior forward Nicolas Paolucci and first-year forward Jared Salminen, extending the lead to 3-0. The Ravens broke through with a goal in the final two minutes but fell short of a comeback ending the game 3-1 in favor of the Raiders.

Senior goalkeeper Luke Newell was instrumental in the win, making 27 saves.

The Raiders return to action on Saturday, Jan. 4, against New England College in a non-conference matchup. Puck drop is set for 4 p.m. at Lee Clement Arena.