FREDONIA, N.Y. -- Add Franklin Pierce to Fredonia State's all-time opponents list in men's hockey.
The Blue Devils (6-9-0) play host to the Ravens, located in Rindge, N.H., for an inaugural meeting at 7 p.m. Friday. Then they meet again at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Ice Arena in Steele Hall.
Named after the U.S.'s 14th president, and the only president from New Hampshire, Franklin Pierce the university is in only slightly less exclusive company. It is just one of six NCAA Division II schools with men's ice hockey teams. In addition, the Ravens' conference -- the Northeast 10 -- consists of only half the 10 schools (the other five schools do not sponsor the sport).
So far, the Ravens are 2-2 in the conference -- but 3-12 overall. They are 1-8 against NCAA Division III teams. "We do not know alot about them other than they are a very hard-working team," Fredonia State head coach
Jeff Meredith said. "We have to be prepared to play our game and do things the way that we have practiced."
The Blue Devils are coming off a 3-1 loss Tuesday at Elmira. The had won their previous three games, and even in defeat, remained solid on the penalty kill. They killed all five Elmira power-play chances and improved to 39 of 42 kills in their last nine games, a success rate of 92.8 percent.
Overall, the Blue Devils have the No. 16-ranked penalty kill. They are also No. 15 power-play among NCAA Division III's 71 teams, and have taken the second fewest penalties in the entire division.
"We have been doing a few new things this year," Meredith said, "(yet) I think it is a combination of many things that has led to our success. The key for us it to keep it going."
Saturday's game has been tabbed Northern Chautauqua Seniors Day. Among the groups the team will host will be members of the Dunkirk Seniors and the Fredonia-Pomfret Grape Belt Seniors. In addition to a ticket to the game, the seniors will also have access to the Bob Steele Multi-Purpose Room, where members of the Fredonia High School Key Club will serve snacks and drinks.
