Fitchburg State Looking To Repeat In 2011-12 Season
The Fitchburg State ice hockey team enters its 2011-12 campaign looking to repeat last season’s triumphant run to the MASCAC championship. With many key players returning from last season, a strong crop of incoming freshman, the Falcons should be in the mix to compete for another MASCAC crown.
Last season, Fitchburg State defeated Worcester State, UMass-Dartmouth, and Salem State, earning its first conference championship since 1999. The Falcons showed poise during the championship run defeating UMass-Dartmouth in double-overtime and Salem State in overtime, avenging a loss to the Vikings in the 2009-2010 championship game.
Led by head coach Dean Fuller (28th season), the Falcons compiled an overall record of 18-9-1. While the regular season saw some ups and downs, the Falcons got hot down the stretch, winning five out of their last six games including going a perfect 3-0 in the MASCAC tournament.
"We got close the year before but ultimately did not accomplish the goal of winning the conference tournament,” Fuller remarked. “Our conference championship last season was a testament to twenty-eight guys all pulling in the same direction. I think the tough experience the year before was a good learning opportunity for us, and that helped us get past a very tough Salem State this time around.”
The 2011-2012 Falcons are once again stockpiled with talent up and down the roster. With a tough MASCAC conference eager to knock the Falcons off their perch, and an automatic NCAA tournament berth going to the MACAC tournament winner this year, the competition this season will be better than ever.
FORWARDS
Leading the Falcon attack this season are senior captains Kris Threlkeld (Centerville, Ohio/CD Selects), Thomas McAleer (Long Island, N.Y./New York Bobcats), and Bryan Canter (Anchorage, AK/Helena Bighorns). All three players were instrumental in the success of the team last season. Threlkeld was named second-team all-conference and is the top returning scorer from last year’s squad with 34 points. Canter, who battled injuries last season is now healthy again, and will look to regain his form as one of the most dangerous forwards in the league. McAleer, the hero who buried the double-overtime game-winner vs. UMass-Dartmouth in the semifinals averaged one point per game last season and will look to continue to put pressure opponents this season.
Other key returnees up front include juniors Justin Quinn (Braintree, Mass./Braintree), Trevor Lawler (Fitchburg, Mass./New England Jr. Huskies), Jack Vets (Hamden, Conn./Hartford Jr. Wolfpack), Cory Callen (Annadale, N.J./Oswego State) and Curtis Nikitas (Leominster, Mass./ Saint Bernards High School). Callen made the great pass to Lawler, who scored the game winning goal against Salem State in the MASCAC tournament championship game last season.
Stephen Oldfield (Fitchburg, Mass./Fitchburg), Nick Zaino (Duryea, Pa./CD Selects), and John Soroka (Philadelphia, Pa./Philadelphia Little Flyers) also return for their to the Falcons for the 2011-2012 season and will provide a positive veteran influence throughout the year.
Incoming first year players include Sean Loebs (Cresskill, N.J.)/Hartford Jr. Wolfpack), Carlo DiPiazza (Ridgewood, N.J./Hartford Jr. Wolfpack), Kevin Holmes (Newburyport, Mass./Valley Jr. Warriors), and Thomas Carlow (Fitchburg, Mass./Fitchburg). This quartet is expected to take significant ice and play an important role for the Falcons this season.
DEFENSE
On the blue line, the Falcons return senior captain Travis Bertolotti (Long Island, N.Y./New York Bobcats). Bertololotti scored two big goals against the Vikings in the MASCAC championship and was named game MVP for his efforts. Senior Spencer Syvertson (Wasilla, AK/Minnesota-Crookston) will also take significant minutes from the Falcons.
Junior Brett Provost (Ludlow, Mass./Hartford Jr. Wolfpack) and sophomore Shawn Bradley (Lawrence, Mass./Central Catholic HS) also figure to play a prominent role with the Falcons, as well as sophomore Kyle Campana (Boxboro, Mass./Hartford Jr. Wolfpack).
Incoming freshmen Brett Nussbaum (Boca Raton, Fla./CD Selects), Derek Giansanti (Newington, Conn./ Hartford Jr. Wolfpack ), Mitchell Clark (Dunellen, N.J./ New Jersey Rockets) and Craig Halpin (Irvington, N.Y./ New York Applecore) will all look to contribute to the Falcon attack.
GOALTENDING
Senior Bobby Leiser (Monroe, N.Y./New York Applecore) saw significant action last season posting an impressive 10-3-0 record and a .931 save percentage.
Adding the Fitchburg State goaltending mix during the 2011-12 season will be first-year Falcons Randy Wolcott (Chesire, Conn./ University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point), Ryan Wysocki (Wyoming, Mich./ Toledo Cherokee) and Dan Finn (Fitchburg, Mass./Fitchburg).
SCHEDULE
Fitchburg State will open its 2011-2012 season with a bang as it hosts New England College on November 8th. The Falcons will team up with local banking provider, IC Federal Credit Union for the third annual ICFCU Shootout and will play host to the Southern New Hampshire University on November 11th. After the tournament, Fitchburg State opens MASCAC league play with Salem State on 11/17. In addition to its strong league schedule, Fitchburg State will also play in the Norwich Invitational holiday tournament in early January.