Auburn, MA --- Fitchburg State freshman Ryan Connolly (Wappingers Falls, NY) recorded two goals and an assist as he helped lead the Falcons to a 4-0 shutout over Worcester State in MASCAC men's ice hockey action this evening at Horgan Memorial Rink.

Fitchburg State (9-10-2, 8-6-1 MASCAC) broke into the scoring column with two goals in the opening frame.

First-year Kevin Holmes (Newburyport, MA) potted the first marker midway through the stanza off a rebound at the 10:55 mark before Connolly wristed just shot 20 ticks later as senior Joseph Caveney (Fitchburg, MA) and freshman John Celli (Leominster, MA) registered assists on the play.

Connolly sparked the visitors again just 4:49 into the second period to help put the Falcons up 3-0 with some help from Holmes and Caveney.

Caveney then capped off the scoring for Fitchburg State with 7:36 on the clock in the middle frame as Connolly and sophomore Craig Halpin (Irvington, NY) each chipped in assists.

Worcester State (6-13-2, 3-10-2 MASCAC) shutdown their opponents in the third period, but could not find the back of the net.

Senior Tim Bowman (Moorpark, CA) had a great look at the net with less than five minutes to play in the final stanza, but he was denied by junior net minder Randy Wolcott (East Haven, CT).

Wolcott was solid between the pipes for the Falcons as he turned aside all 39 shots he saw while junior Taylor Fant (Denver, CO) collected 29 saves in the setback for the Blue and Gold.

Overall the Lancers actually led in shots, 39-33, while they did not see any power play opportunities. Fitchburg State was 0-for-2 with the extra man advantage in a relatively clean game.

Worcester State will play again on Saturday at Framingham State with a 6:20 start time as the Falcons head to UMass Dartmouth next Thursday for a 7:30 face-off.