Auburn, MA --- Westfield State senior Jason Nelson (Rowley, NC) potted a pair of goals and junior Billy Miller (Morgan Hill, CA) dished three assists as they both helped pace Westfield State to a 5-1 victory over Worcester State in MASCAC men's ice hockey action this evening at Horgan Memorial Rink.
The Owls (5-0, 2-0 MASCAC) started the contest off strong in the opening period when Nelson found the net 1:53 into the contest for his first marker of the season before freshman Kyllian Kirkwood (Copper Cliff, Ontario) scooped in his first collegiate tally at the 15:04 mark.
Miller was a factor in both goals which came off the power play for the visitors as they ended the first stanza with the 2-0 advantage.
Westfield State increased their margin to 4-0 with a pair of markers towards the end of the middle frame. Nelson registered his second of the contest with 13:08 and then second-year Frank Zuccaro (Newmarket, Ontario) added the other goal just 14 ticks later.
In the third, the Lancers (0-5, 0-2 MASCAC) broke the shutout when freshman Mike Leskun (Geneva, IL) notched the first goal of his career on an assist from sophomore Cody Osburn (Sacramento, CA) with 10:21 on the clock.
Junior Tyler Prendergast (Richmond Hill, Ontario) scored on a two-on-one breakaway off his own rebounded shot for the games final tally with 1:08 remaining in regulation.
Second-year Ian Perrier (Whitehorse, Yukon) was outstanding as he stopped 39 of the 40 shots he saw on net. Junior Tyler Fant (Boise, ID) played the first two periods and recorded 17 saves before he was relieved by freshman Salvatore Tecchi (Franklin, MA) who turned aside seven shots last period.
The Lancers actually outshot their opponents 40-29, but failed to execute on the power play as they were 0-for-7 – including three in the final stanza. Westfield State enjoyed a 3-for-5 line with the extra man advantage.
Both squads will entertain MASCAC opponents on Saturday at home. Worcester State hosts local rival Fitchburg State at 4:30 while the Owls will play Framingham State at 5:35 PM.