Patrick Ciummo, Casey McNally lead Ice Dogs past Becker, 8-4, behind third-period barrage

February 7, 2007

WORCESTER, Mass. --- Junior right wing PATRICK CIUMMO (Harrisville, RI/Mt. St. Charles) scored two goals and assisted on another as Assumption College defeated Becker College, 8-4, in a non-conference ice hockey game WEDNESDAY night at the Buffone Rink.

The Ice Dogs outscored the Hawks 5-0 in decisive third period --- getting one on the power play and the game-tying goal in a shorthanded situation.

For the Ice Dogs, who are currently in their best stretch of the season---now 3-3-1 over the last seven games---scored the most goals they've had in any game this season. Sophomore goaltender CASEY MCNALLY (Lunenburg, MA/Lunenburg) (PICTURED RIGHT) was solid in net once again for the Ice Dogs, making 28 saves, while improving his overall mark to 2-0-1 in his three starts with an impressive .906 save percentage.

The Ice Dogs have beaten Northeast-10 Conference rival Franklin Pierce (6-3), tied another conference rival Stonehill (3-3) in overtime and beaten Becker over that span. McNally has made 111 saves and posted a 3.26 goals against average in the streak.

Assumption jumped out to a quick 2-0 advantage scoring two goals within 15 seconds in the first period. Ciummo converted a pass from freshman center TYLER CLEARY (Newington, CT/Newington) to beat Becker goalie ANTHONY OLIVEIRA (33 saves) at 6:43 and 15 seconds later freshman left wing ATTE UOLA (Turku, Finland/Holderness School) scored his sixth goal of the season on assists from senior DAN SURETTE (Woburn, MA/Woburn) and junior JIM TRAHON (Needham, MA/Needham)---his team-leading 14th assist.

Becker however came back to scored the final three goals of the first period and the first of the second period to move to a 4-2 lead.

MIKE CAPRIO scored on the power play at 8:16 to get things started before PHIL PINKHAM scored the first of two goals at 14:16 and KEVIN SWITEK followed at 15:25 to put the Hawks in front. Pinkham's second goal of the game, his sixth of the season, made it 4-2 at 14:30 of the second period.

Junior left wing JOHN ROUTHIER (Malden, MA/Malden Catholic) got one back for Assumption with 1:30 left in the middle period assisted by sophomore center FRANK BOVA (Princeton, MA/Wachusett) (PICTURED RIGHT) and junior defenseman PHIL DEMERS (Rutland, MA/St. John's).

Bova started the five-goal barrage in the final period on a nifty feed from Routhier---his second shorthanded goal of his two-year career---to deadlock the game at 4-4.

Surette, junior center JAMES WOOD (Hamden, CT/Hamden), Ciummo on the power play and Cleary closed out the scoring. For Wood and Cleary it was their first career goal.

The Ice Dogs are now 5-16-1 overall, while Becker falls to 2-15-2.

Assumption College is next in action playing at non-conference Nichols College SATURDAY at the Pomfret, CT School Arena at 8:30 p.m.