Worcester, MA- After a slight game delay due to some broken glass panes, the Worcester State Lancers (5-15, 4-12) and the Westfield Owls (12-7-1, 9-6-1) were set to take the ice in a crucial MASCAC matchup.
Final
Worcester State: 6
Westfield State: 2
How it Happened:
The Lancers started the game with high energy against conference rival Westfield State. The Owls were close to scoring, but failed due to a block by the Lancer goalkeeper junior Jakub Kubik (Uherske Hradiste, Czech Republic) in the second minute of the game. Lancers junior Christian Phinney (Draper, Utah) scored as senior forward Mikey Wilson (Alexandria, VA) was credited with the assist with just over 10 minutes remaining in the first period. With the lead, the Lancers were under less pressure where they aimed to stay in the lead throughout the period. Both teams were competitive throughout the period playing evenly towards the end before intermission.
In a period of fluke accidents, Westfields Cory Morris scored on an assist from Devin Garnett to tie with just under 12 minutes left in the second period. Both teams were determined to score the tie-breaker. Worcester State's junior Cody Parcello (Melrose Mass), with an assist from Junior Maxwell Tucker (Kalamazoo, Mich), scored the Lancers second goal of the game with around nine minutes left in the period off a fluke reception by the keeper that landed in the golden spot to give the Lancers a one goal lead against the Owls. Just seconds after the Lancer's goal, Westfield's Ryan O'Halloran, assisted by Thomas Reilly, scored a goal to even the game yet again, this time, off another crazy occurrence, as Kubik's skate would become wedged in the ice preventing the goalie from full movement. Both teams ended the second period with the score tied at 2-2.
Worcester did not wait long into the third period to reclaim the lead, scoring just 18 seconds into the period off a quick shot from graduate student Brendan Ronan (Saugus, MA) after dishes from Wilson and junior Brigham Neuhold (Edmond, OK). Before either team could even settle in, the Lancers would record goal number four as junior Matthew Kowal (Monson, MA) would receive the faceoff and pass from sophomore Shane Prifrel (Inver Grove Heights, MN) and first year Michael Schaaf (Nashua, NH) to double the Lancer lead. It would take about 10 further minutes, and a killed penalty, but the Lancers would expand their lead with goal number five off another Ronan from Wilson special. Nearly two minutes later, the Lancers would hit the back of the net again, this time off a quick slap from Prifrel off a crisp pass from Brian Clougherty (Lynn, MA). Westfield would have their chance to start to cut into the lead with a penalty on Worcester with just over two and half to go, but the Lancer power kill was untouchable, knocking a puck off the line to preserve the kill, and that would be the final chance for Westfield on the night as the Lancers would claim the 6-2 victory.
Kubik would lead the night with 32 saves, with a brief stint by junior Wyatt Friedlander (Lake Placid, NY) adding an additional two on the night.
Worcester State moves to (6-15, 5-13) while Westfield now sits at (12-8-1, 9-7-1) in the evening. Worcester State is back in action on Thursday when they host UMass-Dartmouth in their Dog Toy Toss Game. Game time is set for 5:50pm.