WORCESTER, Mass. – The Worcester State University got ahead early and held on for a 4-2 win over the visiting Vikings of Salem State in a Saturday evening Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) game at the Worcester Ice Center.

THE BASICS

January 13, 2018

Worcester Ice Center

Score: Worcester State 4, Salem State 2

Records: Worcester State (11-3-0, 6-3-0 MASCAC) | Salem State (7-7-1, 4-5-0 MASCAC)

1^ST PERIOD

Worcester State attained a quick 2-0 lead mid-way through the first period, scoring goals in the 5^th and 9^th minutes. Cody Weaver (Warwick, R.I.) scored the first goal of the evening 4:24 into the game succeeding touches from Tim Drevitch (Oxford, N.J.) and Mitchell Purdie (Peterborough, Ont.). Weaver shot from the right side following a scrum in front of the goal and sent the puck to the low right side of the cage, past Jason Pucciarelli (Newmarket, Ont.), for the 1-0 gain. Andrew Etheridge (Burrillville, R.I.) came up with the second goal of the game at 8:59 on helpers from Erik Pritchard (Cave Creek, Ariz.) and Weaver. Worcester State outshot Salem State 14-7 in the first period.

2^ND PERIOD

Salem State cut the Lancers' lead in half 6:20 into the second stanza as Michael Casale (Stony Creek, Ont.) registered his 7^th goal of the season on assists from Daniel Campbell (Waterloo, Ont.) and Aleksi Mustaniemi (Vihti, Finland). Two minutes later, Worcester State's Matthew Manning (Novi, Mich.) put the Lancers' lead back at two as he scored a goal succeeding a deflection from teammate's Sean Castagna (Wilmington, Del.)'s shot. The visitors made the game interesting as they took advantage of a power play in the 14^th minute as Casale tallied his second goal of the game for the 3-2 score.

3^RD PERIOD

The Lancers put an insurance goal on the board in the 7^th minute of the third period, as Ryan James (Katy, Texas) scored on assists from Moran and Manning. The Lancers killed off two Viking power plays and Josh Reinstein (Woodland Hills, Calif.) turned away nine Viking shots on net in the final frame to secure the 4-2 conference win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Worcester State's Weaver and Manning each had a goal and an assist while Moran had two assists in the win.
• Salem State's offense was guided by Casale who scored the two goals for the visitors.
• Reinstein earned his 9^th win of the season, turning away 29-of-31 shots on net. Pucciarelli suffered the loss in a 26-save performance.
• Salem State was 1-for-4 on power play chances, while Worcester State went 0-for-3.
• Salem State held a 31-30 edge in shots throughout the game.

UP NEXT

Worcester State resumes play on Tuesday (Jan. 16), entertaining Connecticut College in a 7 p.m. non-conference matchup at the Worcester Ice Center. Salem State returns to the ice on Wednesday (Jan. 18), hosting Plymouth State in a 7 p.m. MASCAC game.

GET SOCIAL

Follow Worcester State Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube