Ice Hockey Doubles Up Fitchburg State In Home Opener, 4-2

Worcester, MA --- Junior Nicholas Drill (Madison, WI/Wisconsin Wilderness) netted the game winner with 5:52 remaining in the third period to help lift Worcester State over Fitchburg State 4-2 in MASCAC hockey action at the Hart Recreation Center this evening.

The Lancers improve to 2-1-2 overall and 1-0-1 in MASCAC play. The Falcons fell to 0-3-2 on the campaign and 0-1-1 within the conference.

Junior Joe White (Wonder Lake, IL/Southern Oregon Spartans) added an empty net goal and an assist for the host Lancers, who rallied from a 1-0 second period deficit to defeat the Falcons.

After a scoreless first period in which the Blue and Gold outshot Fitchburg State, 15-5, the Falcons potted the first goal 4:03 in the second period when junior Ryan Connolly (Wappingers Falls, NY/ New York Applecore) beat Worcester State junior goalie Salvatore Tecci (Franklin, MA/ Long Beach Bombers) for his second tally of the season.

Worcester State evened the score seven minutes later on a power play goal from senior Rich Ledy (Marquette, MI/ Soo Thunderbirds) for his third goal of the campaign.

Freshman Brian Fahey (Hudson, MA/ Boston Jr. Bruins) gave the Lancers a 2-1 lead at the 15:22 mark of the second period for his first collegiate tally.

Worcester State carried that slim margin into the third period, but the Falcons answered 3:32 into the final frame on a short-handed goal from sophomore Cameron Snyder (Shawnee, KS/ Hampton Roads Whalers), who intercepted a blue line pass and went in alone on Tecci before beating the Lancer goalie glove side for his third notch of the season.

Drill then put the Blue and Gold ahead for good just two minutes later with his career goal on assists from freshman Sean Haltam (Medina, OH/ Ogden Mustangs) and sophomore Alex DeWitz (Oronoco, MN/ Helena Bighorns).

The Falcons picked up the pressure down the stretch against Tecci, but were denied the equalizer on several key saves.

White put the finishing touches on the contest with 30 seconds left in the game for his second goal of the year.

Tecci improved to 1-1-1, stopping 27 shots in the winning effort. Meanwhile, senior Ryan Wysocki (Grand Rapids, MI/ Toledo Cherokee) turned away 33 of the 36 shots he faced in the loss for the Falcons, falling to 0-3-2.

Worcester State held a 37-29 advantage in shots. Fitchburg State did not score on any of thier three power play attempts while the Lancers were 1-for-4 with the extra man advantage.

Both squads host a pair of conference games on Thursday at home. The Blue and Gold host Framingham State in an 8:15 contest while the Falcons take on Westfield State at the Wallace Civic Center in a 7 PM affair.

Release By Mike Corso '12 - Sports Information Intern