MASCAC Men's Ice Hockey Tournament Bracket

Auburn, MA --- Salem State sophomore Ian Canty (S. Windsor, CT) netted the eventual game-winning goal as Salem State was able to fend off a late rally by Worcester State for the 4-3 victory in MASCAC men's ice hockey action this evening at Horgan Memorial Rink.

The game marked the regular season finale for both schools as they will meet again in the first round of the league tournament with #3 Salem State hosting sixth-seeded Worcester State on Saturday at 2 o'clock.

Salem State (13-11-1, 10-7-1 MASCAC) got out to the early 1-0 edge when senior Matt Kenline (Yarmouth, MA) lit the lamp taking advantage of a power play at the 6:21 mark in the opening stanza.

Just 59 ticks later, third-year Eric Defelice (Chalfont, PA) upped the margin to 2-0 when he sent the puck toward the net where it was misplayed by the WSU goalkeeper and trickled into the goal.

Worcester State (6-15-3, 3-12-3 MASCAC) started the second period clicking on all cylinders scoring a pair of goals in a 53 second span.

Sophomore Andrew Pierson (Clovis, CA) cut the deficit to one registering his first tally of the season as he punched the puck home at the 4:42 mark.

Then classmate Brenton Dyok (Rocklin. CA) found the back of the cage knotting the score 2-2 with just under 15 minutes remaining in the frame.

But SSU was able to once again tilt to score in their favor when first-year Keaton Cashin (Boxford, MA) slipped one in at the 12:16 mark of the second stanza for his first collegiate goal.

The Vikings then doubled up their lead, 4-2, as Canty potted his first of the year on his wrist shot from the point with just under three minutes remaining in the second period.

After both squads played even for the majority of the third period, the Blue and Gold strategically pulled their goalie and opted for the empty net during a power play as time wound down in regulation.

The Lancers cashed in on the two-man advantage when Pierson sent home his second goal of the contest with 1:14 left in the game.

Worcester State kept the net empty and continued to skate with the extra attacker for the remainder of the frame, but couldn't generate any scoring chances as Salem State was able to hold on for the final score.

SSU sophomore Ed Fritz (Seal Beach, CA) turned aside 23 of the 26 shots he faced in the win.

Lancer senior Mark Evans (Ludlow, MA) recorded 13 saves before being lifted for freshman Drew Case (Plano, TX) who stopped six of the seven shots he faced.

First-year Salvatore Tecci (Franklin, MA) started the final frame and went a perfect eight-for-eight on save opportunities.

Salem State outshot Worcester State 31-26 and went one-for-four on the power play while the

Blue and Gold tallied one goal on five chances with the man advantage.

Evans along with senior classmates Tim Bowman (Moorpark, CA), Alex Young (Lynnfield, MA), Smbat Defterderian (Arleta, CA), and Pat Styckiewicz (Chicopee, MA) were all recognized during a brief pregame ceromony for playing in their final home game as a member of the Blue and Gold. 

Story by John Hanna --- Sports Information Graduate Assistant