Ice Hockey Rallies Past Owls In Overtime

Filimonov nets game winner in overtime

Fitchburg, Mass. – Freshman Aleksei Filimonov (Saint Petersburg, Russia) buried the game-winning goal just one minute into overtime to lift the Fitchburg State ice hockey team to a thrilling 6–5 victory over the Keene State University Owls.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 6, Keene State 5 OT 

Records: Fitchburg State (8-4), Keene State (5-5)

How It Happened

The Falcons struck first on home ice, opening the scoring just four minutes into the contest. Junior Jackson Collins (Wake Forest, N.C.) finished off a backhander past the Keene State netminder for his second goal of the season, with Hunter Dunn (Douglas, Mass.) and Marcus Macchioni (North Kingstown, R.I.) earning assists on the play.

Keene State answered midway through the opening period, knotting the score at the 10-minute mark on a goal by Peter Unger (Stamford, Conn.). The Owls then grabbed the lead four minutes later when Kyle Gonzalez (Orlando, Fla.) found the back of the net, giving the visitors a 2–1 advantage after one.

The second period turned into a wide-open shootout as both teams combined for six goals. Fitchburg State pulled even early in the frame when John Mantone (Nashua, N.H.) scored to make it 2–2. The Falcons followed with another surge, as Tye Battipaglia (Cheshire, Conn.) netted his 12th goal of the season to put Fitchburg State ahead 3–2.

Keene State responded once again, tying the game at 3–3 on a goal from Thor Hansen, but Battipaglia wasn't done. The junior buried his second goal of the night to restore the Falcons' lead at 4–3. The Owls closed the period strong, however, scoring twice late to carry a 5–4 advantage into the final intermission.

With the man advantage, the Falcons tied the game at 5–5 just 2:52 into the third period. Hunter Dunn (Douglas, Mass.) saucered a perfect pass to Filimonov, who buried the chance for his fourth goal of the season. Neither team was able to break the deadlock in regulation, sending the contest to overtime and Filimonov's heroics.

Inside the Numbers

• Fitchburg State held a 40-29 advantage in shots
• Filimonov finished with 2 goals, 2 assists, and Devin Niles had 3 assists
• Junior Frederick Soderberg (Harrison Township, MI) stopped 29 shots for the Falcons

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Saturday, when they travel to Salem State University to take on the Vikings at 3:00 PM

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