Auburn, MA --- Sophomore Stephen Rock (Tulsa, OK) netted the decisive marker with 34 seconds left to help lead Worcester State to a 3-2 triumph over Becker in non-conference men's ice hockey action this evening at Horgan Memorial Rink.
The Lancers (4-8) take the rubber game of the season series that was tied 1-1. Each of the contests against the Hawks (7-7) have also been one-goal decisions as Becker was victorious in the campaign opener, 3-2, in overtime, and the Blue and Gold hoisted the City Shootout trophy in a 4-3 winning decision.
Becker snapped a 1-1 tie in the third stanza when freshman David Kahn (Lafayette, CA) sent in his first collegiate goal with 6:08 off the clock. First-year Tyler Auricchio (Henderson, NV) and senior David Graham (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) both added helpers on the play.
But the Lancers came right back to equal the score 4½ minutes later with the three-on-two advantage when sophomore Brenton Dyok (Rocklin, CA) third tally of the season. He received some help from junior Jordan Roberts (Littleton, CO) and sophomore Nathan Stanley (Meridian, ID).
As time wound down in regulation with 5:52 on the scoreboard, Worcester State was whistled for a five-minute major penalty. However, WSU freshman Drew Case (Plano, TX) answered the call in his first college start to help anchor the back line and keep the score right where it was.
That set the stage for Rock's heroics as the Lancers scored the clincher 18 seconds after the man down penalty expired. Rock sent in his third marker of the campaign on an assist by sophomore Cody Osburn (Sacramento, CA) for his team-leading eight dish of the season.
Becker staked the early 1-0 advantage when senior Branden Parkhouse (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) sent an unassisted slap shot into the net for his ECAC Northeast-best 13th marker and 25th point of the campaign.
With his tally at the 6:19 mark, Parkhouse also eclipsed the 100-point milestone as he now has 39 goals and 61 assists in his stellar career.
Worcester State tied the score in the second period early on when freshman Mike Leskun (Geneva, IL) scooped in his second marker of the season as he was aided by classmate Joe White (Wonder Lake, IL) and senior Tim Bowman (Moorpark, CA), just 2:27 into the frame.
Case collected 41 saves for his first collegiate win while freshman Gregg Hussey (Medford, MA) turned aside 31 shots in the setback for the Hawks.
The Lancers had a frustrating night with the extra-man advantage going 0-for-5 while the visitors were 1-for-7 for the contest. Their lone power play goal came on their 5-on-3 marker in the third period.
Becker actually outshot the Lancers, 43-34, and also held a 32-20 edge in the final two frames.
Worcester State returns to MASCAC action with UMass Dartmouth on Thursday at 5:30 PM. The Hawks will play SUNY Potsdam at 3:30 on Saturday at home.