Ice Hawks Drop Season Finale To JWU, 5-3

MARLBOROUGH, Mass. – Sophomore forward Alex Porrier (Rutland, Vt.) scored two goals with an assist to lead visiting Johnson & Wales University to a 5-3 win over host Becker College in ECAC men's ice hockey action on Tuesday afternoon at the New England Sports Center. With the win, the Wildcats of Johnson & Wales (9-15-1/5-8-1 ECAC) keep their playoff hopes alive while the Ice Hawks of Becker conclude their season (10-12-2/1-10-2 ECAC).

After both teams went scoreless for most of the opening period, Becker got on the board with 3:24 remaining when senior forward Branden Parkhouse (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) found the back of the net, assisted by senior forward James Shea (Broad Channel, N.Y.). The 1-0 Ice Hawk lead would not last long, as just over a minute later, Wildcat freshman forward Josh Obregon (Omaha, Neb.) took advantage of a power play to tie the game, assisted by freshman forward Cody Sarmiento (Sarasota, Fla.). 1-1 would remain the score at the first intermission.

Becker wasted little time regaining the lead in the second period, as senior forward David Graham (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) came through with a huge shot just 16 seconds in, assisted by Parkhouse and sophomore defenseman Francis Musick (Laurel Springs, N.J.). Once again, Johnson & Wales would strike back with alacrity, tying it up on a strike from Porrier 1:23 into the frame, with an assist to junior forward Eddie Patterson (Cinnaminson, N.J.). 2-2 remained the score until 4:55 left in the period, when Becker sophomore forward Justin Erhart (St. Paul, Minn.) beat the Johnson & Wales netminder on his right to score short-handed, assisted by freshman defenseman David Kann (Lafayette, Calif.) as the Ice Hawks went up 3-2. 59 ticks of the clock later, the Wildcats scored their third equalizer of the day, courtesy of a power play goal from senior defenseman Trevor Jewell (Muskegon, Mich.), with assists to Porrier and Patterson. With 12.6 seconds remaining in the second, Johnson & Wales took their first lead of the game on a scramble power-play in front of the Becker net, with Porrier finding pay dirt, assisted by Obregon and Sarmiento. The game would enter the third period with the Wildcats leading 4-3.

As they began their final period of the season, the Ice Hawks knew they had just 20 minutes to end their season on a high note. With 9:54 left in the game, Johnson & Wales senior forward Jason Pietrasiak (Shrewsbury, Mass.) gave his team the insurance score to go up 5-3, assisted by freshman forward Daniel Chang (Woodland Hills, Calif.) and freshman defender Luke Nickels (Chicago, Ill.). Becker desperately scrambled for another scoring chance, but it would prove too little, too late.

Senior goalie Matt Cooper (Perrysburg, Ohio) totaled 39 saves for the Wildcats, while freshman goalie Gregg Hussey (Medford, Mass.) finished with 25 for the Ice Hawks.

Prior to the game, Becker honored their graduating senior class as part of senior day festivities.

Goalie Tom Natoli (Suffern, N.Y.), forward Mark Lotito (Staten Island, N.Y.), senior goalie Viktor Tuurala (Stockholm, SE), Parkhouse, Graham and Shea have each brought dedication, commitment and leadership not only to the men's ice hockey program, but to the Becker community as a whole. We wish them well in their future endeavors, and their presence will be missed. Parkhouse ends his collegiate career with 115 points while Graham finishes with 102.

Becker concludes their 2012-2013 season. Johnson & Wales will wait to learn their playoff fate.