WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - A third period Western New England College rally fell short as Fitchburg State held on for a 6-3 victory in a rough ECAC Northeast men's hockey game Saturday night at the Olympia Ice Center.

Trailing 4-1 entering the final period, the Golden Bears scored twice on power play goals by freshmen Joe Balog (Ludlow, MA) and Hank Levin (Lido Beach, NY) at the 5:40 and 6:50 marks, respectively. Balog assisted on Levin's eighth goal of the season.

The Falcons answered with their own power play goal at 14:49 and added an empty net score with eight seconds left to seal the win.

Fitchburg (10-6-1, 5-3) took a 2-1 lead in the first period before sophomore Nick Sampson (Reading, MA) tallied at 18:01. The Falcons had two more goals in the second period, including one short-handed score.

It was a frustrating night for Western New England College who had 23 penalties for 78 minutes; Fitchburg had 12 penalties for 32 minutes.

Western New England College isn ow 3-9-2 overall and 0-6-1 in the ECAC Northeast.

Game summary: http://www.collegehockeystats.net/0506/boxes/mfitwne1.j21