Fitchburg, MA --- Junior Cody Osburn (Sacramento, CA) netted the game-winning goal 24 ticks into overtime to help lift Worcester State to a 2-1 triumph over Wentworth this evening in the opening round of the IC Federal Credit Union Shootout this evening at the Wallace Civic Center.
In their season opening victory, the Lancers take home their first win over the Leopards since February 2, 1996 - a stretch of some 18 games. WSU also wins their first season opener since besting Suffolk 7-4 during the 2011-12 season.
Wentworth, which had been receiving votes in the USCHO.com Division III Men's Poll, won the ECAC Division III Northeast title last season and participated in their third consecutive NCAA Division III Men's Ice Hockey Tournament.
The crowd was treated to a scoreless first period that saw Worcester State kill four penalties. The Leopards also outshot their opponents 16-5, but came up empty on the scoreboard.
The Lancers finally jumped onto the scoreboard with the 1-0 lead midway through the second stanza. Junior Nathan Stanley (Meriden, ID) scooped the go-ahead goal off assists by classmate Stephen Rock (Tulsa, OK) and sophomore Cody Brier (Marlboro, MA).
But Wentworth responded in a third period that was even in shots on goal (9-9).
Freshman Devin Smith (Tewksbury, MA) registered his first collegiate tally with some help by classmate Mick Bruce (Lafayette, CO) and junior Beau Burgau (New Ulm, MN) just 3:46 into the final stanza.
That set the stage for Osburn's heroics as he potted the first shot of the extra session into the opposing net at the top of the point for the match-clincher off a power play. Stanley and Rock helped Osburn deliver the final blow for the Lancers.
Wentworth finished with the 33-27 edge in shots while the Lancers were 2-for-6 with the extra man advantage. The Leopards were 0-for-8 on the power play.
Sophomore Salvatore Tecci (Franklin, MA) turned aside 32 of the 33 shots he saw on net in 60:29 minutes of action as sophomore Joel Miller (Calgary, Alberta) logged 25 stops in the setback.
The host Falcons and the Blue and Gold will vye for the ICFCU Trophy tomorrow as Fitchburg State defeated Becker 4-1 in earlier action. In the classic tournament format, Worcester State takes on the Hawks in the opener at 1 o'clock before FSU hosts Wentworth at 4 PM with both games occuring at the Wallace Civic Center.
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