Moran Nets Hat-Trick in Lancers’ 4-3 Win over Franklin Pierce

Moran Nets Hat-Trick in Lancers’ 4-3 Win over Franklin Pierce

WINCHENDON, Mass. – After a third period that saw six goals scored, and a lead taken by Franklin Pierce University, Worcester State University came back with three consecutive goals from Worcester State's senior forward Mike Moran (Milford, Mass.) to attain the 4-3 non-conference win over the Ravens Saturday evening.   

 

THE BASICS

November 4, 2017

Jason Ritchie Ice Arena

Score: Worcester State 4, Franklin Pierce 3

Records: Worcester State (3-0) | Franklin Pierce (0-2)

 

1ST PERIOD

The first period saw a goal from Worcester State's rookie CJ Buckingham (Pembroke, Mass.) who notched his first collegiate goal in the contest. The goal was scored following a faceoff from Kyle Hayter (Helena, Mont.) who found Jake Karelas (Melrose, Mass.) at the left point. Karelis shot the puck from there, and Buckingham deflected the shot en route to the goal. The Lancers outshot the Ravens 9-4 in the frame.

 

2ND PERIOD

The teams saw a scoreless second period, as Worcester State outshot Franklin Pierce 8-4 in the stanza.

 

3RD PERIOD

The third period was action-packed as six goals were scored in the 20-minute frame. Franklin Pierce scored its first goal of the game 6:41 into the period on a 5x3 power play opportunity. Jack Williams  (Suffield, Conn.) was at the right point and passed to Jonathan Haun (Buffalo, N.Y.) who was in the left circle. Haun put a shot on net which was saved. David Wilcox (Stillwater, Maine) found the rebound and scored, knotting the score at 1-1

The Ravens took their first lead of the game four minutes later on a goal from Jonathan Busolin (Goose Creek, S.C.). Not even a minute later, Franklin Pierce found a spot in the goal again as Alex Lester (Methuen, Mass.) cleaned up a rebound from a shot attempt from James Morrissey (West Haven, Conn.).

Down 3-1, Worcester State battled back and tied the score at 3-3 as they scored two goals in the 13th minute of the period. Worcester State's Moran tallied the two goals on assists from Mitchell Purdie (Peterborough, Ont.), Andy DeAngelis (Poughquag, N.Y.), and Matthew Manning (Novi, Mich.).

With just 1:31 remaining in the period, Moran struck again for the game-winner. Leading a rush down the left side, he turned on the afterburners and earned himself a route in on goal from the left-wing circle. Cutting in front of the goalmouth from left to right, Moran deked to his backhand and flipped the puck over the outstretched pad of Franklin Pierce senior goaltender Tom McGuckin (Clayton, N.J.) to cap the hat-trick and put away the game-winning goal.

 

BY THE BOOK

  • Worcester State's offense was led by Moran while the host's offense was led by the trio of Wilcox, Lester, and Bousolin. Franklin Pierce's Williams totaled two assists on the evening.
  • Cory Lignelli (Glastonbury, Conn.) earned his first win in net this season as he stopped 18 shots in the 59:47 minutes played.
  • Franklin Pierce's McGuckin was tabbed the loss in a 22-save performance.
  • Worcester State outshot Franklin Pierce by a 26-18 margin.
  • The Lancers totaled 16 penalty minutes on eight infractions, while the Ravens served 12 minutes on six infractions.

 

UP NEXT

The Lancers return home on Thursday (Nov. 9) when they host Framingham State in a 7 p.m. MASCAC matchup at the Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center.

 

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