Auburn, MA --- Plymouth State sophomore Jack Astedt (Angelholm, Sweden) stopped 34 of the 35 shots he saw this evening to help lead the Panthers to a 3-1 triumph this evening over Worcester State in MASCAC men's ice hockey action this evening at Horgan Rink.

With the win PSU improves to 8-1-3 overall and 4-1-2 in league play as they are now alone in first place in the conference with 10 points. The Lancers slip to 6-3-3 and 4-2-1 in the MASCAC.

Senior Andrew Stewart (O'Leary, PA) put Plymouth State up 1-0 at the 8:58 mark for the only goal of the first period as he received assists from sophomore Bryan Kriner (Newport, RI) and freshman Dave Walters (Ottawa, ONT).

The Panthers went up by two goals early in the middle frame as fourth-year David Rose (Haddonfield, WI) helped the visitors take advantage of a 4x3 power play for what would be the game-winning tally. Second-year Kyle Weiland (Hamden, ME) and senior Jake Curtin (Concord, NH) each contributed helpers on the play for PSU.

Worcester State junior John Cahalane (Tewksbury, MA) broke the shutout with 6:24 off the clock in the second on assists by sophomore classmates Pat Styckiewicz (Chicopee, MA) and Brice Crook (Reno, NV) to make the score 2-1, but Plymouth State would respond with a goal of their own less than six minutes later. Second-year Alex Cottle (West Chester, PA) notched his team-leading 18th point at the 12:14 mark to give the Panthers what they needed to skate away with the victory.

The scoresheet was blank for the third period, with no goals or penalties for either team.

Junior Bryan Kalczynski (Tonawanda, NY) shouldered the setback for the Blue and Gold as he finished with 39 saves. Astedt, who is second in the conference in goals against average in MASCAC play, improves his record to 4-1-2 versus league opponents.

The Panthers enjoyed slight edges in shots in each of the three periods which included a 14-11 lead in the first, a 15-12 advantage in the second and 13-12 margin in the third. The Lancers were 0-for-3 with the extra man advantage.

Worcester State returns to action at home on Saturday with a non-conference 5:30 game against WNEC while Plymouth State heads to Salem State for a 2 PM MASCAC contest.