WATERBURY, CONN. (2/24/2026) - Franklin Pierce men's ice hockey faced off against Post University in the first round of the Northeast 10 playoffs, Tuesday night. Despite an early 2-0 lead, and third period comeback to tie it, the Ravens couldn't hold on, falling 4-3 in overtime.

Score: Franklin Pierce 3, Post 4
Records: Franklin Pierce (9-21-0, 7-13-0 NE10), Post (9-18-1, 8-12-1 NE10)
Location: Sports Center of Connecticut, Waterbury, Conn.
Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2026

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Ravens took an early 1-0 lead in the first period. John Sterling took the puck out of the Ravens defensive zone, sending it to Giovanni Ursillo on the left side of the net. Ursillo beat the last defender with a pass to Isaiah Frankel in front of the net, who gave Franklin Pierce their first goal of the game.
• Just eight minutes later, a Post defender tried to send the puck behind the net, but was picked off by Mario Paganini. Coming from behind, Paganini took an initial shot that was saved, collected his own rebound and finished to extend the Ravens' lead, 2-0. Behind 15 saves from Jeremy Connor, the Ravens went into the first intermission with the lead.
• The Eagles would get themselves on the board just three minutes into the second period, on a man-up opportunity, and strike again to even the score in the sixth minute on a second power play chance. Post ultimately took the lead, even-strength, just one minute later. Franklin Pierce was able to hold the Eagles from furthering the deficit, but also couldn't answer with a goal of their own in the second period.
• Franklin Pierce came into the third period with fire, coming back to even the score at 3. Josh Tisdell took the puck up the ice, taking on two defenders and passing the puck off to Sterling. Sterling took the puck behind the net, finding the gap between the goaltender and the post to tie the game. An evenly matched third period kept either team off the board for the remaining 17 minutes. The Ravens put up 10 shots in the final frame, while Connor made 11 saves in net to save themselves from the regulation loss.
• Overtime began with a promising look for Franklin Pierce when Ursillo took the goalie on 1v1. The Eagles quickly found themselves with a face-off to the right of Franklin Pierce's net. Working the puck around their attacking end, a Post shot from far made it to the back of the net, ending the game in the third minute of overtime. 

BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS

• John Sterling led the Ravens with one goal and one assist.
• Todd Branish had 4 of 22 blocked shots for Franklin Pierce.
• Jeremy Connor made 41 saves in net.
• Franklin Pierce went 27-37 on faceoffs.

UP NEXT FOR THE RAVENS: With the loss against Post in the first round of the NE10 championship, their season ends with a record of 9-21 overall, and 7-13 in conference.