By Danielle Achin
Sports Editor
The Framingham State University ice hockey team fell 5-3 to the Panthers despite coming back from a 3-0 deficit in the second period.
The game opened with the Panthers scoring in just under five minutes after Niks Krollis finished an assist from Rider McCallum and found the back of the net.
The period continued with both teams racing all over the ice, sending the puck airborne, and tripping opponents, which almost led to a few fights between the players.
At 6:22, the Panthers tacked on another goal after Colin Tracy snuck one past FSU goalkeeper Blake Carlson for the 2-0 lead.
Just over a minute later, the Panthers’ Will Redick sped down the ice and fired right to the back of the net, scoring the third goal of the night for Plymouth State.
After another handful of scuffles, both teams were able to fit in one last clash with three seconds left of the period, resulting in a double power play advantage for Plymouth State heading into the second.
Despite the second period opening with five men on three, Carlson managed to block the flurry of shots for the remainder of the power play.
At 15:54, Framingham made it on the board after Johnny Baker came from around the back of the net and spiked the puck in for the goal.
The body slamming and tripping continued, and with just over five minutes left in the second period, the Rams’ Dylan Marty finished off an assist from Johnny Baker for the 3-2 score.
Less than three minutes later, the Rams’ Tyler Westfall flicked a shot into the top corner to tie the game 3-3.
The final frame proved to be the most intense, with both teams taking and throwing more hits.
Halfway through the third period, the Panthers’ Connor Tait broke the 3-3 tie after he shot through a gap into the back of the net.
Plymouth scored their final goal of the night with just over three minutes left to play when Ethan Stuckless shot the puck and tipped it off the pole into the net for the 5-3 final score.
Although this was a frustrating loss for the team, the Rams’ Jake Conrad said even though it wasn’t the result they were hoping for, he is more than satisfied with his team's performance.
“Overall, we played really well although they came back and scored the two goals, but the effort was really good,” he said. “It's a team that for the past three years that I’ve been here has blown us out, so it's much better to be out here and have a really good game with them.”
The Rams are back in action when they travel to Rivier for a non-league game on Dec. 3.