WESTFIELD, Mass. –     Fitchburg State's Zackery Diamont netted a hat trick and goaltender Brian McGrath made 41 saves as the Falcons topped Westfield State, 5-2 in a MASCAC men's ice hockey game at Amelia Park on Tuesday night.

Fitchburg improves to 6-2 overall and 4-1 in the MASCAC, while Westfield is now 4-4-1 and 2-2-1 in the league.

Diamont and the Falcons came off the bus firing as they tallied three times in the first 13 minutes of the game, with Diamont netting the second and third markers after Huter Fortin opened the scoring with a power play goal just 3:58 into the game.

Diamont added his third to open the scoring in the second period, and Gene Bouthiette completed the scoring for the Falcons at 15:27 of the second period.

Westfield showed renewed energy in the third period, finally climbing on the scoreboard with Paul Frys tallying on the power play off strong passing from Triston Theriot and John-Michael Digregrio.   Frys picked up an assist later in the game, returning the favor by feeding Theriot for another power play marker with 8:12 left in the contest, but Westfield would get no closer.

Rece Bergeman finished with four assists for the Falcons, while Thomas Harty added a pair of helpers.

Westfield State will be back in action on Saturday with a 4;30 game at UMass Dartmouth.