SHELTON, Conn. –  Sophomore forward Scotty Swain found the back of the net for the second consecutive game in his return to the lineup for Post University Men's Ice Hockey, but four unanswered goals by the Franklin Pierce University offense would sink the Eagles on Tuesday night at the Sports Center of Connecticut in Shelton, Connecticut, 4-2, sending Post to their third consecutive loss.

THE BASICS

Post University 2, Franklin Pierce University 4

Post University (2-6-1, 1-4-1 NE10)

Franklin Pierce University (6-4-0, 5-1-0 NE10) 


HOW IT HAPPENED
In the span of just eight minutes, three goals would be scored between the two teams in the opening period as sophomore forward Jonathan Meijer helped the Eagles strike first only 8:44 into the contest. Using the assistance of senior defenseman Ryan O'Connell and sophomore forward Bradley McMains, Meijer's shot from the point found its way by junior goalie Riley Mastowski.

For McMains, it was his third game of the season in which he had recorded at least a point in only seven games played after recording three points in 15 total games his freshman season. The return of Swain has been big for the Post offense as well, as he netted his second goal in as many games played since his return, helping extend the Eagle lead to two, less than two minutes after Meijer's goal.

Swain's goal was his second of the season, coming on a Post power play, which now has goals in three of their last four games, and eight overall on the year.  With the first winding down, senior forward Austin Pick would cut into the Franklin Pierce deficit with his fourth goal of the season, chipping the puck by senior goalie Benjamin Cunneen's right shoulder, making it a 2-1 game heading into the second.

That was where it would remain heading into the third, as despite a 16-7 edge in shots on goal, Post would be unable to solve Mastowski in net, while Cunneen stood tall for the Eagles. However, penalties would do in the home team in the third as senior forward Hugh McGuigan was issued a penalty as the second period expired, starting a barrage of three penalties for Post.

The third one of that stretch would end up being the back breaker when senior forward Conner Murray went to the box for interference, leading to sophomore forward Mario Paganini's game-tying power-play goal with 11:01 left in regulation. That would be the start of a three-goal third by the Ravens with Pick scoring the go-ahead goal with 2:55 remaining, followed by Paganini's second goal and third point overall to propel Franklin Pierce to the come-from-behind victory, 4-2.

BY THE NUMBERS  

• Austin Pick finished the game with two goals for two points, scoring the game-winning goal for Franklin Pierce University in the third period
• Riley Mastowski finished the game with 44 saves on 46 attempts for Franklin Pierce University, which is the most single-game saves he has had in his career
•  Mario Paganini led all players with three points for Franklin Pierce University, scoring twice and adding an assist in the win for the Ravens
• After winning back-to-back games against Franklin Pierce University last season, Post University has lost three of the last four head-to-head matchups with the Ravens

WHO'S NEXT 
Post University is back on the road before their month-long winter break to take on Southern New Hampshire University for a pair of games this weekend. Puck drop on Friday night is scheduled for 7:40 PM as the Eagles split their last two head-to-head matchups against the Penmen after losing the previous eight before that.