Fitchburg State secured a convincing 4-0 victory over Wentworth on Tuesday evening, thanks to a standout performance from junior goaltender Freddy Soderberg. This marked Soderberg’s third consecutive shutout, a remarkable achievement at the Wallace Civic Center in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.
Soderberg faced 33 shots during the match, including nine in the opening ten minutes, when the Falcons struggled to find their rhythm. “I can’t remember (having three shutouts in a row). All the way back to youth hockey, I can’t remember a time,” the Harrison Township, Michigan native said after the game. “This might be a first.”
The Falcons improved their record to 5-4 overall and 3-0 in the MASCAC after starting the season with a 1-3 record. Head coach Dean Fuller emphasized the importance of Soderberg’s early contributions to the team’s success. “Like I told the boys, that was all Freddy in the first 10 minutes. He kept us in the game,” Fuller noted.
Soderberg’s performance proved crucial as the team settled in. After withstanding the Leopards’ initial pressure, the Falcons found their stride. Freshman Nael Touhami scored his first collegiate goal, redirecting a shot from Nicklas Millhorn following a faceoff win by Alexandre Bauvais at 11:09 in the first period, providing the Falcons with a lead they would not relinquish.
The second period remained scoreless despite Fitchburg State dominating possession. The Falcons did not waste time in the third period, with graduate student Christian Halbig netting a power-play goal just one minute into the frame. Halbig received a slick cross-ice pass from Devin Niles, extending the lead to 2-0.
As the period progressed, the Falcons struck twice more in quick succession. Jeremy Maillet opened his scoring account for the season by poking home a rebound after a save from Wentworth goaltender Topher Chirico, who made 28 saves during the contest. Maillet’s goal came just 80 seconds before Tye Battipaglia scored another power-play goal, tipping a shot from Aleksei Filimonov into the net.
Fitchburg State’s power play was particularly effective, converting two out of five opportunities, while Wentworth failed to capitalize on any of their three chances. Despite the Leopards pulling Chirico for an extra attacker in the final minutes, Soderberg maintained his composure, stopping 99 consecutive shots since allowing his last goal on November 15 during a game against Rivier.
“I’m just sort of riding this. I’ve got a team that’s playing unbelievable in front of me and they’re bailing me out more than it looks like,” Soderberg remarked, acknowledging the support he receives from his teammates.
The Falcons will look to continue their winning streak when they face Salem State in a MASCAC contest on Tuesday, March 7, 2024, at 19:00.
