WORCESTER, Mass. – The Worcester State University men's ice hockey team battled to a 0-0 draw with Salem State Sunday (Dec. 4) afternoon in an exciting Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) matchup held inside the Hart Recreation Center on the campus of Holy Cross.

The game saw impressive performances from both Worcester's net minder, Josh Reinstein (Woodland Hills, Calif.) and Salem's Jason Pucciarelli (Newmarket, Ont.) who shutout their opponents. Reinstein turned away a career-high 38 shots on net, while Pucciarelli stopped 28.

Worcester State's Cody Weaver (W. Greenwich, R.I.) put three of seven shots on goal for the Lancers in the first stanza, however, they were all stopped by Pucciarelli. The Vikings had three power play opportunities in the first, but were unable to put a digit on the scoreboard.

Late in the second period things got interesting when Worcester State's major penalty left the Lancers one-man down for five minutes. The Vikings racked up six shots during the power play, but the Lancers played mighty defense, which led to a scoreless game going into the third period.

Salem State came out striking in the third, outshooting the Lancers 16-7. Reinstein made some spectacular saves in the period to preserve the score at 0-0.

Just 24 seconds into the five minute overtime period, the Lancers received a power play opportunity when Salem's player got caught up on an interference penalty. The Lancers then racked up five shots in the two-minute span, but they all were turned away by Pucciarelli. The two battled it out in the reminder of the overtime, but neither were able to capitalize and run away with the victory.

Salem State held the advantage in both shots (38-28) and faceoffs (43-22). Salem State's Dan Holland (Woburn, Mass.) and Worcester's Weaver each tallied a game-high seven shots on goal.

Next up, the Lancers host Stonehill in an 8:30 p.m. game on Thursday (Dec. 8). The Vikings also resume play then when they host Suffolk in a 7 p.m. matchup.