Fitchburg, MA --- Senior Robert Vorse (Leominster, MA) stopped all 28 shots that he saw on net this evening as he logged his second career shutout to help lead #3 Fitchburg State past fifth-seeded Worcester State this evening at the Wallace Civic Center in the opening round of the MASCAC Men's Ice Hockey Tournament.

With the win, the Falcons improve to 16-9-1 overall and they move on to play at top-seeded UMass Dartmouth on Thursday at 7:30. On the other side, #6 Westfield State upset third-seeded Plymouth State, 4-1. The Owls will play #2 Salem State on Thursday at 7 PM.

The Lancers end their season at 11-12-3, a six-win improvement from last year's squad as they posted their first double-digit win total since the 2000-01 campaign when they went 12-12-1.

Fitchburg State senior Kevin McCready (Poughkeepsie, NY) snapped a 0-0 tie early on in the second period as he helped the Falcons take advantage of a puck that was turned over by the defense at the 6:40 mark. 

FSU lit up the siren 58 seconds later with some outstanding puck movement that caught the back line off guard as junior Corey Callen (Annadale, NJ) netted his 10th marker of the season.

After two periods of play the hosts outshot the Blue and Gold, 26-18, but then WSU went on the offensive as they would end the third out gunning the hosts, 10-9. But the Lancers would have a frustrating final frame as they failed to put the puck into the net.

The Falcons would score their third marker on a tally by junior Kris Threlkeld (Centerville, OH) with the empty net with 1:06 remaining in the contest.

Worcester State senior Bryan Kalczynski (Tonawanda, NY) was the tough-luck loser as he recorded 32 saves in the setback.

Both squads were a combined 0-for-8 with the extra man advantage.

Senior Chris Wallin (Avon, CT) ended his career this evening for the Lancers tied for 42nd on the all-time scoring list with 58 points (21 goals - 37 assists).