Leopards, Falcons Skate to Tie in IC Credit Union Shootout

(Courtesy of Fitchburg State Sports Information)

FITCHBURG, Mass. - The Fitchburg State ice hockey team captured the 2009 IC Credit Union Shootout Championship this evening, defeating Wentworth Institute of Technology, 3-1 in shootout style at the Wallace Civic Center.

Fitchburg State used a balanced attack en route to its second consecutive tournament victory as three different Falcons netted goals. Senior captain Andrew Hutton (Brewster, Mass./Boston Harbor Wolves) and sophomore Billy Pescosolido (Framingham, Mass./Walpole Express) paced the Falcons with two assists apiece, while junior Chris Riggs (Sewell, N.J./Fort Vancouver Pioneers), freshman Chris Costigan (Salem, N.H./Northern Cyclones) and classmate Tucker Callen (Annadale, N.J./Wagner) each tallied markers. 

Senior Skylur Jameson (Long Beach, Calif./Wichita Falls) led the visitors with his fourth goal of the tournament, while Doug Martin (Trumbell, Conn./Fairfield Prep) and Forrest Ellis (Pembroke, N.H./Capital District) added scores.

In an electrifying second period, both teams did all their scoring combining for six goals over a 13 minute span. Fitchburg State opened the scoring on Riggs' second goal of the season, but Wentworth fired right back, taking a two goal lead with three unanswered markers. Martin sparked the Leopard surge with a short-handed goal at the 3:36 mark, while Jameson and Ellis followed with back-to-back goals moments later.

The Falcons answered quickly, rolling off two consecutive goals in 1:33 span to knot the score at 3-3. Costigan brought Fitchburg State within one (3-2), netting his first collegiate goal off assists from Kris Threlkeld (Centerville, Ohio/CD Selects) and Hutton, while Callen also added his first collegiate marker to tie the game at the 18:01 mark.

After a silent third period and extra frame, the game headed into a five-man shootout for the cup. Fitchburg State came out soaring with a diving save by goaltender Robert Vorse (Leominster, Mass./Bay State Breakers), while Hutton capitalized and gave the Falcons an early 1-0 advantage.

Wentworth drew closer in the second round on Jameson's good attempt, but Fitchburg State responded immediately as Riggs put the Falcons on top 2-1 with a wrist shot to the right side. Vorse continued to shine between the pipes, denying another Leopard shot, while sophomore Kevin McCready (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Mohawk) sealed the deal in the fourth round with a good attempt to the right.

Wentworth held a slim 26-22 advantage in shots, while notching two short-handed goals, but Vorse was strong in net for the Falcons, earning 23 saves and tournament MVP honors. Senior goaltender Justin Marriott (St. Clair Shores, Mich./Valley) stopped 19 shots in a solid effort for the Leopards.

Fitchburg State (2-0-1, 0-0-0 MASCAC) will be in action again on Thursday as it travels to Framingham State College at 7:20 p.m.. Wentworth (3-0-1, 0-0-0 ECAC NE) will host Johnson and Wales University on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM:

ASM - #24 Pat O'Kane
WIT - #13 Skylur Jameson
WIT - #25 Alan Dionne
FIT - #22 Chris Costigan
FIT - #27 Kevin McCready
FIT - #35 Robert Vorse

Tournament MVP - Robert Vorse (FIT)