Franklin Pierce downed by Saint Michael’s, 7-1
Spalt notches his first career tally in the second period for the Ravens

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (December 8, 2007) – Saint Michael’s College scored six power-play goals in the final two periods as the host Purple Knights defeated Franklin Pierce University, 7-1, in a penalty-filled Northeast-10 Conference ice hockey match on Saturday evening at Cairns Arena.

The teams combined for 24 power-play opportunities on the evening, as much of the game was decided by special teams play. Saint Michael’s won the game by converting on six of its 15 man-advantage chances (40 percent), while Franklin Pierce was held scoreless in nine power-play attempts.

Chris Healey (Salem, N.H./New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs) and John Burns (Sandwich, Mass./University of Connecticut) each recorded four points for the Purple Knights, with Healey scoring twice with two assists and Burns assisting on four tallies. Ryan Mero (Peekskill, N.Y./Avon Academy) also scored twice for the home team.

Freshman Eric Spalt (Barnstable, Mass./New Hampton School) scored his first collegiate goal late in the second period for the team's lone tally of the night, with assists going to sophomore Phil LaBreck (Thornton, N.H./Laconia Leafs) and junior Shane Murphy (Tolland, Conn./The Gunnery School).

The first period featured only one goal, despite the Ravens peppering Saint Michael’s goaltender Tyler Bilton (Penticton, British Columbia/Finlandia University) with 16 shots. Purple Knight junior Bryan Dodge (Goffstown, N.H./Governor Dummer Academy) scored the only goal of the period, taking a pass from Burns inside the blue line and one-timing a shot past Raven freshman Matt McCarthy (Natick, Mass./New Hampton School) for his first collegiate goal at the 10:39 mark.

Saint Michael’s came out strong in the second period, outshooting Franklin Pierce, 18-7, and outscoring the Ravens by two. Healey started the second-period scoring 7:53 into the frame, scoring the eventual game-winner on the power play. Kevin Richard (South Burlington, Vt./Rice Memorial) added the first of his career less than four minutes later, and Healey followed with his second of the period at 12:37 to give the team a four-goal advantage.

Spalt got the Ravens on the board with 3:39 remaining in the middle frame, as he received passes from LaBreck and Murphy and notched his first collegiate goal.

The Purple Knights sealed the win by scoring three power-play goals in a span of 2:17 midway through the third period.

Saint Michael’s held a 42-28 shot advantage on the night. Bilton made 27 saves for the Purple Knights, while McCarthy stopped a career-high 35 shots for Franklin Pierce.

Franklin Pierce (2-8-0, 0-1-0 NE-10, 1-4-0 ECAC NE) will return to ECAC Northeast and Northeast-10 Conference play on Monday night, when the Ravens take on Stonehill College at 7 p.m. Saint Michael's (3-3-1, 2-0-0 NE-10) is off until Dec. 29, when the team hosts the Saint Michael's College Holiday Classic.

Saint Michael’s 7, Franklin Pierce 1

                                                                                                    1      2      3                          F

Franklin Pierce (2-8-0, 0-1-0 NE-10, 1-4-0 ECAC NE)       0      1      0          -               1

Saint Michael’s (3-3-1, 2-0-0 NE-10)                                    1      3      3          -               7

 

First Period: STM, Bryan Dodge/1 (John Burns), 10:39.

Second Period: STM, Chris Healey/3 (Matt Rigtrup, John Burns), 7:53; STM, Kevin Richard/1 (Dave Vorozilchak, Andrick Deppmeyer), 11:26; STM, Chris Healey/4 (John Burns), 12:37; FP, Eric Spalt/1 (Phil LaBreck, Shane Murphy), 16:21.

Third Period: STM, Matt Hall/4 (Chris Healey, John Burns), 7:39; STM, Ryan Mero/6 (Bryan Dodge, Chris Healey), 8:30; STM, Ryan Mero/7 (Tully LaBelle-Hamer, Dan Anctil), 9:56.

 

Goaltenders: FP, Matt McCarthy (60:00), 35 saves; STM, Tyler Bilton (60:00), 27 saves.

Shots on Goal: FP: 16-7-5—28; STM: 11-18-13—42.

   GAME STATISTICS AND BOX SCORE