By Matt Cook
Sports Editor
Goaltender Nick Cafrelli, a sophomore, stopped all 32 shots thrown at him by Assumption College as the ice hockey team blanked the Ice Dogs, 4-0 on Wednesday.
It was the first time Assumption has been shut out in a loss since Jan. 20, 2010, when they fell by the same score against SUNY-Brockport.
“I felt like that was the best all around game we played all year,” Cafrelli said. “Every single guy who went on the ice gave his their all, and it really showed. We controlled the game from the start and just didn’t let up. I’m proud of my team.”
For the Rams (5-13-4), the victory ties their most wins in a single season since 2005-06.
“With our last two games being a tie, and a win over Worcester State, we knew we had to go into Assumption and keep the momentum going,” said defenseman Corey Chaney, a senior. “That’s exactly what we did.”
Chaney also noted the Ice Dogs haven’t been shut out in a few years, and he personally hasn’t been a part of a team that has beaten them until now.
On Wednesday, Framingham opened the scoring at 10:43 of the first period when forward Brendan McCarron, a freshman, beat Nick Blanchette to give the Rams the 1-0 advantage. It was McCarron’s fourth of the year. Defensemen Dylan Cosford, a freshman, and Bo Driscoll, a senior, were both given helpers.
Carrying the lead into the second period of play, the Rams didn’t let up, and were quickly ahead by two. Forward Aran Ward, a senior, tallied his third on the year with an unassisted goal just 51 seconds in.
Seven minutes later, forward Eric Ward, a sophomore, would make it 3-0 in favor of the Rams. McCarron and forward Dan Miressi, a sophomore, had the assists.
The woes continued for the Ice Dogs in the third period. They were called for too many men, and Cosford, with the help of Driscoll, made it 4-0.
Framingham went 2-for-4 on the power play on the night, and killed off all six infractions for which they were called. They also outshot Assumption, 41-32.
Driscoll ended the night with a pair of assists, and Cosford and McCarron both had a goal and an assist apiece.
Driscoll said, “Last night’s game was a great team effort. Everyone contributed in some form to help us win.”
Driscoll believes the team has been more successful this year than in the past because the coaches are bringing high-talented players who are determined to turn the program around.
Coming into Loring Arena, Assumption held a strong 12-8-1 record. Having lost their first three games of the season and scoring only one goal in each, the Ice Dogs rebounded, winning seven of eight games. But the Rams blemished that streak.
The game was nonconference, which leaves the Rams still in last place with a 3-10-3 record in the MASCAC. But the overall win itself gave Framingham five, which was one more than last year. Three games remain in the season, with the next two coming in the MASCAC.
“The win also marked the most wins in a season for big state puck since I’ve been here,” Chaney said. “That’s something that’s really meaningful to me and the rest of the seniors. It’s a sign that this program has gotten a little better every season that we’ve been here.”
He acknowledged the Rams didn’t win a single game his freshman year, emphasizing the importance of claiming five victories already.
“Now we have to take the next step for the program and prove we’re real by taking this momentum into Salem State’s barn and getting a win Saturday,” he added.
In addition, the win over Assumption marks the second time the Rams have won two straight this season. From Jan. 19 – 21, Framingham defeated Worcester State 2-0 and Franklin Pierce 3-1. Coming off a close 4-3 victory over Worcester on Feb. 11, FSU kept the momentum and brought it with them Wednesday.
“Everyone has worked really hard in the offseason and during the season to become better hockey players, and I think this turn-around is an indication of that,” said Driscoll.
With two conference games remaining against two of the top three teams in the MASCAC, the Rams find themselves just behind Westfield State. The Owls have garnered a 3-9-4 record in the conference, and the two teams will most likely be battling it out until the very end.
On Saturday, the Rams will travel to Salem State to face the second place Vikings of the MASCAC. The puck will drop at 2:00 p.m., and a live video feed will be available via fsurams.com.
On Tuesday, Framingham will travel to UMass Dartmouth for a 7:30 p.m. puck drop. It is the same team they faced late last year, and the same team that kept the Rams out of the playoffs.
