Worcester, MA- Bouncing off a tough loss to Salem State on Thursday, the Lancers Men's ice Hockey team (6-8-1, 3-5-1) are looking to get some revenge versus Rivier tonight. In the last meeting between the two teams, Rivier managed to walk away with the shoot out victory, something Worcester is looking to correct tonight.
Final
Worcester State: 2
Rivier: 0
How it Happened:
The first period action between the Raiders and Lancers let off nearly exactly how it had done on home ice at the start of the season. The two teams were evenly matched on the ice both offensively, but even more so, defensively as senior Wyatt Friedlander (Lake Placid, NY) and his team would stifle any attempts from their opposition. After an action packed, but ultimately unfruitful first, the teams carried their continued stalemate into the first intermissions with Worcester outshooting Rivier 11-8 and each team grabbing two power play opportunities.
Heading into the second period we would continue to see great defensive plays from the Lancers and Raiders. Ten minutes into the 2nd we would see both teams enter the power play simultaneously but still no goals. The feuding determination between both squads would hold through the second period with each team upping the intensity and matching it in turn. The second period would end scoreless despite multiple power play opportunities and continue the season matching tit for tat between these two teams. Worcester would still hold a slight shot advantage of 24-21 at the end of the second stretch of action.
Starting off the final period of regulation the Raiders would begin with a power play in which the Lancers would show great fight to kill it, not allowing a single shot in these two minutes. The Lancers would continue to have to deal with adversity as they would be faced with defending another power play with about 13 minutes to go in the 3rd. The Raiders would create some great chances during this opportunity but the pressure would be detained by the Lancer's Friedlander. With just a second over five minutes to go Worcester would find the opportunity they had been searching for as Brigham Neuhold (Edmond, OK) would send the puck into the basket and added a second goal during a crucial power play chance in the game. The second goal would be taped in by senior Matt Kowal (Monson, MA) off a junior Anders Gronstad (Royal Oak, MI) dish. Worcester would immediately be placed on the defensive as the Raiders pulled their goalie for the final minutes, to capitalize on a later power play chance, in a bid to tie the game back up and force another overtime meeting. Worcester's defense was too determined for revenge and held off Rivier's surge to grab the 2-0 victory.
Friedlander wrapped up the shutout, and return to action, with 31 saves while Worcester edged out the shots battle, 33-31.
What's Next:
Worcester State (7-8-1, 3-5-1) remains on the road for their next conference meeting as they journey to Fitchburg State on Thursday to challenge the Falcons at 6:30pm.