Framingham, MA --- Framingham State junior Melvin Nichols (Alexandria, VA/Washington Jr Nationals) scored the game-winning goal with 1:01 left in regulation and senior Brendan McCarron (Millbury, MA/St. John's) had a pair of assists as the Rams defeated Worcester State, 3-2, in MASCAC men's ice hockey action this evening at the Loring Arena.

Following a scoreless opening stanza which saw the Rams (3-10-2, 2-7-1 MASCAC) hold an 11-4 edge in shots and one unsuccessful power play, junior Richard O'Connor (N. Andover, MA/N. Andover) helped put the hosts up 1-0 with 8:24 off the clock in the middle frame.

Framingham State extended their margin to two goals nearly five minutes later when senior Jay Nichols (Middleton, MA/Northern Cyclones) lit up the lamp.

The Lancers (3-10-2, 2-6-1 MASCAC), however, sliced into the deficit and made the score 2-1 with 58 ticks left in the second period. Senior Vinny Bohn (Spring Hill, FL/El Paso Rhinos) potted his first of the season following a rebounded shot by sophomore Crissostomos Villarreal (Corona, CA/Space Coast Hurricanes).

The visitors had a pair of chances early to net the equalizer, but failed to take advantage of two power plays early on in the third.

With time winding down, Worcester State opted to pull their goalie and the strategy did not work as Nichols potted the match-clinching tally on assists by McCarron and sophomore Vaughn Guetens (Cheshire, CT/Hartford Jr. Whalers), just five seconds after freshman Tyler Fallica (Coram, NY/Ogden Mustangs) left the ice.

The Lancers did make things interesting as they opted for the extra attacker and made the score 3-2 on the second goal of the campaign for sophomore Michael Dery (Grand Rapids, MI/Ogden Mustangs) with some help by senior Cody Osburn (Sacramento, CA/Fresno Monsters) and classmate Nathan Stanley (Meridian, ID/Idaho Jr. Steelheads) with 14 seconds remaning in the game.

Framingham State did a good job in the final moments of regulation holding the Blue and Gold without a shot in the waning seconds of the contest.

FSU sophomore Alessio Muggli (Ruiti, Switzerland/EHC Duernten) stopped 25 shots between the pipes as he now sports a record of 3-9-2 overall. Fallica (1-3-1) turned aside 23 in 59:27 minutes of action.

For the tenth time in 15 games, Worcester State finished with the leading margin in shots, this time ending the contest with the 27-26 edge.

The Lancers will play again on Sunday at the Hart Recreation Center in a 4 PM home matchup against Plymouth State. Framingham State heads to Fitchburg State for a 5 o'clock matchup at the Wallace Civic Center on the road.