Worcester, MA --- Framingham State senior Brendan McCarron (Millbury, MA/St. John's) registered a hat-trick as he helped lead the Rams to a 5-2 victory over Worcester State in MASCAC men's ice hockey action this evening at the Hart Recreation Center on the campus of Holy Cross.

The Lancers (2-2-2, 1-1-1 MASCAC) outshot their opponents 19-3 in the opening frame, but came up with only one goal as sophomore Alex DeWitz (Oronco, MN/Helena Bighorns) wristed a feed from junior Nicholas Drill (Madison, WI/Wisconsin Wilderness) with 6:16 off the clock.

With the one-goal edge after the first period, the Blue and Gold had another great chance early in the second on a 5-on-3, however, the hosts only managed to fire off three shots in the duration of both power plays as they were all turned aside by sophomore Alessio Muggli (Rueti, Switzerland/EHC Duerenten).

The Rams (1-3-1, 1-2-1 MASCAC) used the momentum to knot up the score 1-1 midway through the stanza when senior Ryan McDonald (Anchorage, AK/Seattel Totems) caught the rebound at the in front of the net and finished to the top left shelf of the net.

McDonald then put the visitors up 3-1 as he scored the last two makers of the period. The first came off a power play at the 14:25 mark and then just before time expired in the second, McDonald potted the eventual game-winning tally on assists by McCarron and sophomore Mark Essery (Rockfall, CT/Hartford Jr Wolfpack).

Framingham State put the game away early in the third. McCarron banked a high shot off the left post just 22 seconds into the frame and then he turned his first career hat-trick with under five minutes off the clock, slipping one past junior net minder Drew Case (Plano, TX/Northern Cyclones).

After DeWitz scored around the 13:00 mark off a power play, the hosts opted for an extra attacker in the final two minutes of regulation, however, the Muggli rejected all three attempts he saw to help lift the Rams in the triumph.

Worcester State actually held the 38-27 margin in shots, but the Rams led in the final two frames, 24-19.

Muggli (1-2-1) collected 36 saves in the victory for Framingham State as junior Salvatore Tecci (Franklin, MA/Longbeach Bombers) was dealt the setback. Tecci (1-2-1) registered 13 stops in 39:55 minutes of action and Case recorded nine in the 18:05 he played during the third.

Both squads scored one goal each with the extra man advantage as there were five combined penalties between the two teams.

In upcoming MASCAC action on Saturday, Worcester State heads to Plymouth State for a 6 PM faceoff at the Hanaway Rink while Framingham State entertains Fitchburg State 7:40.