Worcester, MA --- Fitchburg State freshman Evan Brynes (New City, NY/New Jersey Rockets) and junior Ryan Connolly (Wappingers Falls, NY/New York Applecore) both netted third-period power play goals to help lift the Falcons to a 3-2 victory over Worcester State in MASCAC men's ice hockey action this evening at the Hart Recreation Center.

With the victory, Fitchburg State ups their record to 9-10-2 and 7-6-1 in the MASCAC while the Lancers slip to 4-14-2 and 3-10-1 in conference play.

Trailing 2-1 entering the final stanza with under 10 minutes to play, Byrnes started the rally when he potted his first collegiate goal at the 13:30 mark with some help from sophomore Cameron Snyder (Shawnee, KA/Hampton Roads Whalers) and junior John Celli (Leominster, MA/Valley Jr. Warriors).

With the score tied up, the hosts had a chance to hit home the go-ahead tally with four minutes on the clock when senior Taylor Laneville (Edmonds, WA) fed classmate Nathan Stanley (Meridian, ID/Idaho Jr. Steelheads), but the shot was snatched in midair by senior Ryan Wysocki (Grand Rapids, MI/Toledo Cherokee).

The Falcons continued to press the net over the next couple of minutes and found success when Connolly scooped in the match-clincher from the right side of the net following a rebounded shot by Byrnes with 1:40 remaining in regulation.

In the waning moments of the contest, WSU pulled their goalie and placed three shots on net, however, they were all turned aside by Wysocki, who preserved the victory for the visitors.

Fitchburg State originally staked the early 1-0 margin after Celli lit up the siren just 37 ticks into the contest as Snyder and junior Max Lorenzen (Leesburg, VA/Valley Jr. Warriors) had assists on the play.

The Lancers scored twice in the second period to take over the 2-1 advantage after two complete frames.

Freshman Alex Pommerville (Macedon, NY/Salt Lake City Moose) scored from the point after a pass from the right side by Laneville at the 1:50 mark before senior RJ Byrne (Marlboro, MA/Boston Jr Bruins) tipped in a pass off the faceoff by Stanley and classmate Stephen Rock (Tulsa, OK/Idaho Jr. Steelheads) near the end of the stanza.  

The goals for Pommerville and Byrne were both their second of the campaign.

Wysocki (8-9-2) earned the second star of the evening by stopping 41 of the 43 shots he saw on net. Freshman Tyler Fallica (Coram, NY/Ogden Mustangs) fell to 2-7-1 as he turned aside 20 shots in the losing effort.

Fitchburg State was 2-for-5 on power plays for the evening while the Lancers were 0-for-2 with an additional man on the ice. Worcester State also led in shots on goal, 43-23.

Both squads will play again over the weekend. The Blue and Gold take on Framingham State on Sunday in a 4 o'clock battle while the Falcons host Westfield State at 5:30.