Fitchburg, MA --- Junior Nathan Stanley (Meridian, ID/Idaho Jr Steelheads) sparked a two-goal uprising in the third period with one marker and the game-winning assist to help lift Worcester State to a 3-1 victory over Fitchburg State in MASCAC men's ice hockey action this afternoon at the Wallace Civic Center.
With the win the Lancers improve their mark to 9-11-1 and 5-9-1 in conference play while the Falcons slip to 9-12-1 and 6-9-1 in league action. WSU has also taken the series against their local rivals 2-1 and capture the full point in the Sterling Cup series between the two institutions.
After failing to capitalize on a major penalty early on in the contest, Fitchburg State sophomore John Celli (Leominster, MA/Valley Jr Warriors) caught a rebound off the stick of junior Brett Nassbaum (Boca Raton, FL/CD Selects) for the 1-0 edge at the 7:38 mark. Celli tallied his team-best 11th marker of the campaign.
Worcester State responded by knotting up the game 1-1 just three minutes later when freshman Michael Dery (Grand Rapids, MI/Odgen Mustangs) picked up a loose puck following a nice cross by junior Cody Osburn (Sacramento, CA/Fresno Monsters).
The Lancers broke up the stalemate in the third period with 8:37 off the clock as junior Stephen Rock (Tulsa, OK/Idaho Jr Steelheads) recorded his third goal of the year with passes from Stanley and classmate Rich Ledy (Marquette, MI/Soo Thunderbirds).
Stanley then gave the visitors an insurance tally 2½ minutes later with some help by senior Derek Serbon (Crown Point, IN/Tulsa Rampage) and senior Curtis Martin (Okotoks, Alberta/San Diego Gulls) on a power play.
With his sixth tally of the campaign, Stanley takes over the team-lead in points (16) and he becomes the 56th ice hockey student-athlete to earn a spot in the 50 point club (20 G - 31 A).
The Falcons had an outstanding opportunity to get themselves back into the contest as the Lancers were whistled for a bench penalty and had a man off the ice with 2:07 remaining in regulation.
But the Worcester State defense and sophomore goaltender Salvatore Tecci (Franklin, MA/Long Beach Bombers) denied the chance and held off a six on four edge to preserve the victory, with the hosts lifting junior Ryan Wysocki (Grand Rapids, MI/Toledo Cherokee) from the cage.
Tecci, who logged 33 saves between the pipes, moves to 6-7-1 overall. Wysocki falls to 6-9-1 after turning aside 27 shots in the setback.
WSU was 1-for-4 on their power plays as Fitchburg State did not convert any of their five chances – with three coming in the scoreless second frame. The Falcons held the final 34-30 margin in shots.
Both squads will host MASCAC opponents on Thursday evening. Worcester State entertains Plymouth State at 5:45 PM while Fitchburg State takes on Framingham State in a 7 o'clock faceoff.