WORCESTER, MA – Franklin Pierce University raced out to a 3-0 lead after two periods on way to posting a 4-1 victory over Wilkes University in the championship game of the Steve Hoar Invitational hosted by Becker College on Sunday afternoon.
 
Wilkes saw its seven game win streak snapped dating back to the second contest of the year. The Colonels own a 7-2 overall record following the holiday invitational tournament. Franklin Pierce improved to 7-2-1 overall after capturing the title at the event.
 
Franklin Pierce started its scoring midway through the first period when Sean Crowley scored off assists from Justin Blanchette and Matthew Toombs at full strength. Five minutes later the Ravens added their second tally after James Morrissey scored thanks to a helper from Alex Lester.
 
Franklin Pierce extended the lead to 3-0 eight minutes into the second period before holding off a blistering offensive attack by Wilkes that saw the Colonels outshoot the Ravens 48-26 throughout.
 
Devon Schell (Scarsdale, NY/) finally broke the scoring drought for Wilkes when the sophomore found the back of the net with just over five minutes left in the game with assists from Charlie Spetz (Oak Ridge, NJ) and Ryan Solomon (Murray, UT).
 
Franklin Pierce added one more insurance goal to seal the victory and the title when Anthony Nikolopoulos scored on the empty net with the Ravens on a power play with less than a minute to play.
 
Brandon Gordon (Sault Ste. Marie, MI/) finished with a season-high 24 saves in net for Wilkes in his third game action this season. Ian Wallace was brilliant in the win for Franklin Pierce stopping all but one of the 48 shots he saw in net.
 
Wilkes returns to United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) play Friday when the Colonels welcome Manhattanville College for a tilt scheduled for 5:00 p.m. at the Toyota SportsPlex.