WORCESTER, Mass. - Senior captain Mitch Purdie (Peterborough, Ont.) scored an unassisted goal 33 seconds into overtime to lift the Worcester State University men's ice hockey team to a 1-0 win over Assumption College Saturday night in non-conference action at Buffone Arena.
With the win, the Lancers improve to 11-9-1 overall on the season, while Assumption falls to 14-7-3.
The game remained scoreless through one period, which saw the Greyhounds outshoot the Lancers by a margin of 12-6. Worcester State had the best opportunity of the period just over a minute in. Freshman Nick Pennucci (Worcester, Mass.) came into the attacking zone down the right win on a 2-on-2 and fired the puck off the far post but stayed out, keeping the game scoreless.
Assumption held a territorial edge in the middle period, but again neither team found the net and the teams headed to the third scoreless. Freshman goaltender Ryan Hoff (Brockton, Mass.) was outstanding in the period, battling through a handful of Greyhound flurries, but refused to concede the game's opening goal. Through two periods, Assumption held a 25-17 advantage in shots on goal.
The Lancers survived a late power play opportunity as they were called for interference with 2:10 remaining in the third period. The game went to overtime scoreless, despite shots being 38-20 in favor of the Greyhounds in regulation.
Purdie's goal came on the only shot of the overtime, as he made a steal in the neutral zone and walked in for the goal. A quick snap shot was juggled by Assumption goaltender David Altman (Bristol, R.I.) before trickling over his shoulder and over the goalline, winning the game for the visitors.
Hoff was stellar in his first collegiate game, earning a 38 save shutout, and improving to 1-0-0 on the season.
Next up for the Lancers, they will complete the suspended game against Framingham State that began last Saturday night before being halted due to unsafe ice conditions. The game will resume at 5:55 p.m. with 4:20 remaining in the first period with the game tied 1-1.
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