WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State University's Daniel Backstrom (Helsinki, Finland) tallied two goals and two assists to lead the Owls to a 5-2 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) victory over the visiting Lancers of Worcester State in a Thursday evening tilt.

THE BASICS

February 15, 2018

Amelia Ice Arena

Score: Westfield State 5, Worcester State 2

Records: Westfield State (10-11-1, 8-8-0 MASCAC) | Worcester State (13-9-1, 8-7-1 MASCAC)

1^ST PERIOD

Worcester State's Ryan James (Katy, Texas) started off the scoring just 48 seconds into the game for the quick 1-0 lead. Worcester State had two power play chances in the next 10 minutes, but was unable to sneak the puck past goaltender Kameron Limburg (Howell, Mich.) for another tally. It wasn't until the 16^th minute that Westfield State saw its first goal, from Backstrom unassisted, for the 1-1 score heading into the second frame.

2^ND PERIOD

Owls' sophomore Samuel Gagnon (Ille-Bizard, Quebec) dropped the puck for sophomore Pearce Vance (Berkley, Mich.) at the blue line in the fourth minute of the second as Vance beat sophomore goalkeeper Josh Reinstein (Woodland Hills, Calif.) with a wristlet from the left faceoff circle to lead 2-1. The hosts extended their lead to two (3-1) when Gerard Colpoys (Scituate, Mass.) scored a power play goal on an assist from Backstrom.

3^RD PERIOD

The Owls added another goal in the 2^nd minute of the third period to put them ahead by three. Worcester State's Alex Pommerville (Macedon, N.Y.) cut the Owls' lead in half to make it a 4-2 game. Worcester State batted off 16 shots in the final frame, but were unable to make a comeback as Backstrom put the final goal on an empty net for the 5-2 score.

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS

• Backstrom led all offense with two goals and two assists in the win.
• F.X. Girard (St. Lazare, Quebec) tallied a goal and an assist for Westfield State.
• Despite the loss for Worcester State, the Lancers outshot the Owls 36-26 throughout the contest, and by a widespread 16-6 margin in the third period.
• Westfield State's Limburg earned the win in net, stopping 34 saves in the 60 minutes played.
• The Lancers' sophomore goalie. Reinstein, suffered the loss in a 21-save performance.
• Worcester State converted 1-of-6  (.167) power plays as Westfield State saw 15 penalty minutes on six infractions. Worcester State had three infractions throughout the entire game, and Westfield State was able to convert on one of the three power plays.

UP NEXT

The Worcester State men's ice hockey team's next outing is on Saturday (Feb. 17) when they host UMass Dartmouth in a 7 p.m. MASCAC matchup. Prior to the start of the game, Worcester State will recognize the Lancers' 2017-18 senior class.  

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