Auburn, MA --- Behind 35 saves by Nichols sophomore goalie and tournament MVP Alex Larson (Madison, AL/Cleveland Lumberjacks), the Bison captured the third annual Worcester City Shootout Crown this evening in a 5-3 victory over Assumption at Horgan Rink.
With the win the Bison improve to 6-1-1 while the Greyhounds fall to 2-6-1 with the setback. The meeting between the two teams marked the first-ever in the title game.
Larson posted a two-day total of 64 saves, a .941 save percentage and a 2.00 goals against average en route to taking home the coveted plaque.
The Bison charged back from a 2-1 deficit in the middle frame by netting a short handed goal followed by a power play marker over a four minute span.
Sophomore Sean Fleming (Easthampton, NJ/Philadelphia Revolution) lit the lamp at 12:23 before classmate Tyler Beasley (Indianapolis, IN/Rochester Ice Hawks) slapped one home at 16:18.
Freshman Mike Weaver (Wakefield, MA/Boston Jr. Bruins) netted the eventual contest-clinching goal at 4:40 of the final period.
Assumption received a first period spark from senior Nick Mattiello (Johnston, RI/Bishop Hendricksen) and freshman Ryan Gomez (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Valley) who each assisted on one another’s goals to grab the 2-1 advantage.
Greyhound senior Bobby Bowden (Springfield, MA/Williston-Northampton) collected 30 saves in the setback.
In the consolation game, Worcester State senior Curtis Martin (Okotoks, Alberta/San Diego Gulls) registered a pair of power play goals to help the Lancers defeat Becker, 3-2.
Martin registered the first goal of the game at 13:52 of the first period and potted his second with just 54 seconds off the clock in the third stanza.
The Blue and Gold also received the eventual game-clinching score from junior Andrew Bates (Marblehead, MA/Boston Jr. Bulldogs) at 4:01 of the second.
The Hawks recorded tallies from freshman Antonio Baccari (Egg Harbor Township, NJ/Rochester Ice Hawks) who capitalized on a power play at 18:55 of the second frame and sophomore Tyler Auricchio (Henderson, NV/Idaho Jr. Steelheads) hit one home at 18:14 of the third taking advantage of the extra attacker as Becker opted for the empty net.
| First Round | |||||
| Saturday, November 30 | |||||
| Semifinal Game 1 | Nichols 4, Worcester State 1 | Box Score | Recap | Video | Photo Gallery |
| Semifinal Game 2 | Assumption 6, Becker 0 | Box Score | Recap | Video | |
| Second Round | |||||
| Sunday, December 1 | |||||
| Consolation Game | Worcester State 3, Becker 2 | Box Score | Recap | Video | |
| Championship Game | Nichols 5, Assumption 3 | Box Score | Recap | Video | |
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Photo Gallery Courtesy of Worcester Telegram & Gazette
| Worcester City Shootout All-Tournament Team |
| MVP - GK - Alex Larson (Madison, AL) - Nichols |
| F - Tyler Beasley (Indianapolis, IN) - Nichols |
| F - Ryan Gomez (Wayne, NJ) - Assumption |
| F - Brandon Bete (Greenfield, MA) - Assumption |
| F - Curtis Martin (Okotoks, Alberta) - Worcester State |
| F - Tyler Auricchio (Henderson, NY) - Becker |
In The Press:
Worcester Telegram & Gazette (November 28) - "City Shootout Is Set For Saturday, Sunday"
USCHO.com (November 29) - "Writers Go Head-To-Head: ECAC Northeast/MASCAC Picks"
D3hockey.com (November 30) - "St. Norbert Falls Plus The Rest Of The Tournament Action"
Worcester Telegram & Gazette (December 1) - "Assumption, Nichols Advance To City Tournament Shootout Final"
Pictured (Left) - Tournament Most Valuable Player Alex Larson With Nichols Athletic Director Charlyn Robert