Worcester, MA- After dropping their first game in five matches this past Tuesday, the Worcester State Men's Ice Hockey team (10-9-1, 7-6-1) continue to hunker down into the home stretch as they continue their stretch of 3 games a week this week with their Thursday night meeting with MCLA. Their first meeting of the season saw the Lancers squeeze out a 4-3 win, something they hope to expand upon tonight.

Final- Shoot Out MCLA (1-0)

Worcester State: 3

MCLA: 3

How it Happened:

In this critical conference matchup against the Trailblazers the Lancers would start off firing as they would strike first at the 17:52 minute marker. The goal came through forward senior Shane Prifrel (Inver Grove Heights, MN) off a cutting pass through sophomore forward Matthew Nuzzolilo's (Worcester, MA) stick. For the next few minutes the Lancer's defense would keep it clean shutting down any momentum the Trailblazer's offense was attempting to build. Worcester would score another one with one minute remaining in the first period off of a deflected shot from senior forward Brigham Neuhold (Edmond, OK) hitting the keepers pad for graduate student Brian Clougherty (Lynn, MA) to tap in. Senior defenseman Cody Porcello (Melrose, MA)) would initiate the play sending in Neuhold for the first attempt. Senior goalkeeper Wyatt Friedlander (Lake Placid, N.Y.) would ensure the Lancer's net would be kept safe, recording 8 saves to end the period. 

The second period would start off back and forth where the two teams would create solid chances but both goalkeepers would deny any goals from being scored in the opening minutes. The Lancers would be forced to concede a goal at the 16:18 minute mark creating adversity for the home team. For much of the second period the Lancer's defense would steer their ship back into calmer waters through great communication and grit. The game would see its first power play through a cross checking penalty conceded by the Trailblazers giving the Lancers an opportunity to establish some offensive momentum and expand their lead back to two. MCLA would kill the power play and then proceed to find the equalizer with one minute remaining in the second setting up a riveting third period for both teams and its spectators. 

To kick off the third period the Lancers would start strong creating a flurry of chances but would still find the game level. After three minutes a player from each team would be sent to the box due to roughing penalties leaving the game to be played in an intense 4 v 4. From this point on the game would be chippy and physical with both teams growing a strong aversion for each other. A little before the midway point of the third the MCLA would see another one of their players head to the box stemming from a tripping penalty and the Lancers would go on to create scoring opportunities but they would not be rewarded for their efforts. The deadlock would be opened up by a late goal scored by MCLA with less than two minutes remaining. Lancer fans thought all hope would be lost until seconds later the Lancers would come alive putting one in the net through Matthew Nuzzolilo forcing the game into overtime. 

The overtime action would be filled with exceptional chances for both teams but would ultimately end 3-3 propelling the teams into a shootout where five rounds later the Lancers would lose 1-0 in the shootout. 

What's Next:

The Lancers (10-9-2, 7-6-2) begin their final road stretch this weekend as they journey out of conference to take on Keene State at 5pm on Saturday.