Ice Hockey Out Skates Fitchburg State on Senior Night
The Worcester State University men's ice hockey team scored four unanswered goals in the second and third periods on their way to a 5-1 win over Fitchburg State University Tuesday evening in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference action at the Worcester Ice Center.
WORCESTER, Mass. - The Worcester State University men's ice hockey team scored four unanswered goals in the second and third periods on their way to a 5-1 win over Fitchburg State University Tuesday evening in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference action at the Worcester Ice Center.
With the win, the Lancers keep their hopes alive of hosting a first round game in the MASCAC Tournament, improving to 13-9-2 overall on the season and 8-7-2 in the MASCAC. Fitchburg wraps up its regular season with a record of 12-11-2 overall and 9-7-2 in conference play.
Before the game, the Worcester State University Athletic Department honored the four members of Worcester State's senior class, forwards Mitch Purdie (Peterborough, Ont.), Mike Moran (Milford, Mass.), and Andrew Etheridge (Burrillville, R.I.), and defenseman Cody Weaver (West Greenwich, R.I.). The players were each joined on the ice by members of their families.
Worcester State wore special purple and teal ribbon decals on their helmets during the contest in support of New Hope, Inc. New Hope works throughout Massachusetts to build an anti-violence movement to end sexual and domestic violence. The team accepted donations for New Hope throughout the game. For more information on the organization, or to make a donation of your own, please visit www.new-hope.org.
Worcester State opened the scoring early in the contest as sophomore Kyle Hayter (Helena, Mont.) found the back of the net just 3:51 in for his second goal of the season. Freshmen Evan Schieber (Macon, Ga.) and Henry Bruckner (Franklin, Mass.) received credit for assists on the goal.
At the 12:55 mark of the first, Fitchburg's Ricky Kramer (Barnstead, N.H.) tallied his 11th goal of the season, evening the score at 1-1, where the score would remain as the teams went to the first intermission. The Lancers outshot Fitchburg State 10-6 in the game's opening 20 minutes.
Two goals in the span of 1:28 midway through the second period gave the Lancers a 3-1 edge, which they would take with them into the third. A shot along the ice off the stick of Schieber squeaked through the legs of Fitchburg goaltender Brian McGrath (Worcester, Mass.), putting the hosts back on top. Nick Patullo (Doylestown, Pa.) and Tim Drevitch (Oxford, N.J.) picked up assists on the goal.
The lead was extended to two on a goal from Drevitch just under a minute and a half later. Wheeling through the slot, Drevitch uncorked a backhander that eluded McGrath on the short side and found the back of the net. Patullo and freshman Marc Baron (Charleston, S.C.) assisted on Drevitch's seventh goal of the season.
Patullo and freshman Nick Pennucci (Worcester, Mass.) tallied third period goals for the Lancers to close out the victory.
Freshman goalie Ryan Hoff (Brockton, Mass.) recorded his third win of the season for the Lancers with a 23-save effort. McGrath took the loss, allowing four goals and making 20 saves.
Patullo was named the game's number one star with a goal and two assists. Schieber, tallying the game-winning goal as well as an assist, was named second star, and Hoff the third star.
The Lancers will round out their regular season tomorrow as they complete their suspended game from February 2 against Framingham State at the Worcester Ice Center. Puck drop, with 4:20 remaining in the first period.
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