Junior winger Dan Cotter scored three of his team’s six power-play goals as Fairfield rallied from a 5-2 deficit with 11 minutes to play to defeat Bentley College, 6-5, in the third place game of the Q-Cup, hosted by Quinnipiac University at the Northford Ice Pavilion Saturday afternoon.
Fairfield, which notched its first win in four games, erupted for four power-play goals after Bentley was assessed a five-minute major penalty for hitting from behind. As a result, the Falcons’ losing streak reached 11 games, including four this season.
Senior Tim Desmarais began the comeback with his first of the night at 11:58 of the third. Cotter drew the Stags within one with 6:08 left, and junior center Joe Whelan tallied the equalizer 36 seconds later. With the same penalty still in effect, Desmarais broke the tied with 4:34 remaining, off the third assist of the game by Casey Laflamme.
Fairfield’s previous two goals also came on the power play after Bentley jumped out to a 2-0 lead. Both were scored by Cotter, the first with 3:36 left in the first and the second 3:44 into the second.
Goals by sophomore Mike Ciarletta and freshman Bryan Goodwin had given the Falcons a 2-0 lead before the game was 12 minutes old.
After Fairfield tied the game, 2-2, Bentley scored three unanswered goals, all by defensemen. Senior Steve Tobio, who had an assist earlier in the game, broke the tie at 2:33 of the third and made it a 5-2 game about five minutes later. In between, senior Mike Ziebaq had tallied his first of the year.
Bentley freshman goalie Simon St. Pierre once again had a very busy night between the pipes as the Falcons were outshot 53-27. He made 47 saves, including 21 in the third period, and now is averaging an incredible 40 a game. Freshman Stephen Baker made 22 saves to earn the win for Fairfield.
Bentley will open its MAAC Hockey League and home schedule Friday night when it hosts Holy Cross at 7:30 p.m.
