Men’s ice hockey falls in home opener
By Taylor Kimmell
Sports Editor
Despite gaining a 1-0 advantage early in the second period, the Framingham State Rams were unable to fend off the heavy, late-game pressure from the Southern New Hampshire State Penmen, dropping their home opener 4-1. This Oct. 31 non-conference match set the Rams’ overall record to 0-1.
Sophomore Jonas Osterle said, “Despite the fact it wasn’t the result we wanted, it was amazing to get back on the ice as a group. This is what we work hard for all off season, so it feels good to get back into the routine and enjoy what you’re training for. Getting to see where that work is going in a game is always amazing, regardless of how it plays out.”
Though the opening period saw plenty of action, neither team could find a way past the opposing goaltender.
Framingham State goalkeeper and Captain Owen Swanbon, a senior, diverted all 13 of SNHU’s shots in the first period.
In Southern New Hampshire’s net, Sean Guerin held strong against FSU’s eight attempts to find the back of the net.
The Rams’ first opportunity came at 2:36, just a minute following the Penmen’s first shot. Swanbon saved SNHU’s next three shots as well, coming at the 4, 5:30, and 9-minute marks.
The Rams attempted to score again, but the shot sent in by freshman Jack Kovacs was blocked by Guerin.
Collecting the rebounded puck, freshman RJ Sember fired off another quick shot, but Guerin refused to let up.
SNHU had three more shots in the following minute, but Swanbon deflected each of them.
Following the third shot, the Penmen’s Ethan McLean was called for interference, and Framingham State began their first power play of the game.
The Rams attempted to take advantage, but both sophomore Cullen Lacey’s and junior Michael Kennedy’s shots were unsuccessful.
At 12:52, Framingham freshman Chris Otero was given a penalty for roughing, ending FSU’s power play.
About 30 seconds later, Captain Scott Bugarin, a senior, attempted to slot the puck for the Rams, but again, Guerin remained diligent in the net. The same minute, McLean returned to the ice, and FSU spent the next 58 seconds on a penalty kill. While SNHU was a man up, their offense put pressure on Swanbon, who was able to defend against two shots. Otero re-entered the game at 14:52, ending the Penmen’s power play. SNHU’s next drive resulted in a shot by Kenny Thurston, but Swanbon continued his perfect streak, refusing to let up. Just under 2 minutes later, FSU gained control of the puck, taking it down the ice to junior Zach Pappas for an attempt on net that was prevented by Guerin. The Penmen brought the puck back across the line and attempted three more shots on goal in the following 30 seconds, all of which Swanbon was able to save. Sophomore Jonas Oesterle attempted to score for the Rams in the same minute once FSU regained possession, but again, Guerin was there to make the save. The scoreless quarter wrapped up 2 uneventful minutes later. Within the first minute of period two, SNHU fired a shot at FSU’s goal. Swanbon maintained the same composure as in the first period, preventing that attempt as well as the next at 1:15. It did not take long for FSU to make a drive, with sophomore Connor McLachlan attempting to score around the 3-minute mark. He was stopped by Guerin. SNHU stole the puck for another unsuccessful shot, but Framingham quickly regained control, allowing shots by Bugarin and Lacey that did not make it into the net. The Rams were back on the power play when, at 5:21, McLean was called for hooking. FSU was unable to capitalize during those 2 minutes, only managing one shot from sophomore Grig Kaagan. Kaagan found luck on his next drive, netting the puck at 8:35 with an assist from Bugarin and freshman Michael Janey to bring the Rams to a 1-0 lead.
Unfortunately, the Penmen responded quickly. After Captain Cameron Craig, a senior, was penalized for tripping at 9:41, SNHU went to work on the power play.
Aidan Rufa capitalized at 10:40, scoring his first goal of the season, with Jory Veenstra and Ethan McLean earning assists on the equalizer.
The remainder of the second period featured several opportunities for both teams. Framingham State attempted to regain the advantage through shots from Jonas Oesterle, Nathan Gines, and Zacharias Pappas, but Guerin continued to make saves.
Southern New Hampshire answered with attempts of their own, all of which were stopped by Swanbon.
Framingham received another power-play opportunity late in the period after SNHU’s Gabe Fisher was called for a 2-minute penalty for direct contact to the head at 16:52.
Southern New Hampshire successfully killed the penalty. Saves by Guerin on scoring attempts by Otero, freshman Zach Spicuzza, and senior Davis Hassell kept the score tied at 1-1 heading into the final period.
Framingham came into the third period looking to regain control, with attempts on goal from Captain Brent Scott, a senior, Gines, Kaagan, and Osterle, but Guerin continued to turn away shots, even during the Rams’ power play.
Gines was called for interference at 4:26, granting the Penmen a power-play opportunity that quickly changed the game.
At 5:14, Coleman Nee scored his first goal of the season to give Southern New Hampshire a 2-1 lead.
The momentum continued when, at the 7-minute mark, Austin Hirschberger scored to extend SNHU's lead to 3-1.
Framingham State continued to fight as the clock wound down. The Rams created additional opportunities through Craig, Kennedy and sophomore Alexis Detcheverry, but Guerin remained difficult to evade.
The Penmen added another goal at 15:09, scoring while shorthanded due to a tripping penalty.
Despite the three-goal deficit, Framingham State continued to push during the final minutes. The Rams generated late attempts from McLachlan, Craig and Otero, but were unable to score another goal.
Swanbon made a late save with just over a minute left, bringing him to a total of 26 saves, and the puck was returned to the Rams’ possession.
Captain Devin Shepherd won the match’s final faceoff, and with just 6 seconds left on the clock, got the puck to Otero, who attempted a last-second goal to no avail. The match concluded 4-1 in favor of the Penmen.
Osterle said, “A hockey season is a tedious process systematically. These early games are a great chance to try out a lot of players in a lot of different positions and see where they’re best suited. Exhibition games especially are a great chance to try new things personally and see what works. So on an individual level, everyone will gain something different.”
Osterle said the “most apparent lesson” the Rams will take from this match was “our pace. We have some good players and if we play with a bit more pace, we will be able to create a lot in every area.”
Osterle said, “In regards to our upcoming games, I think we have everything we need to win all three. Adversity is inevitable - the biggest thing we need to do as a group is to stay engaged through it. Even taking one shift off when things don’t go our way is often enough to let in a goal, and then we’re behind trying to get ourselves back in the game. If we stay up mentally, I have complete confidence in our group.
Most recently, the Rams defeated the Umass Dartmouth Corsairs 6-5, evening their overall record to 1-1.
Osterle said, “I think the biggest thing we need to build on is creating good habits and trusting them. The game gets more skilled and more structured every year. We have a lot of good pieces, so as a group, just stacking productive days and trusting the habits we develop will make it easy to play to our strengths in game.”
Framingham will host Saint Anselm and American International for non-conference matchups Nov. 7 and Nov. 12, respectively.
