Men's Ice Hockey Bests Salem State to Snap Skid

SALEM, Mass. - Brian Smith (Dracut, Mass.) finished with a goal and an assist to help lift the Worcester State University men's ice hockey team to a 4-1 win over Salem State University Saturday afternoon in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference action at Rockett Arena.

The win is Worcester State's first in over two months, snapping a 12-game winless streak dating back to December 10. The Lancers improve to 6-16-2 on the season and 4-12-1 in the MASCAC. Salem State drops to 4-14-6 on the season and 4-9-4 in conference.   

The Vikings struck first when Trey Olsen (Omaha, Neb.) found Billy McGwin (Rochester, N.Y.) for a power play goal that put the Vikings up 1-0 early in the first. At 12:33, Steven Tettoni (Gloucester, Mass.) set up Smith, who redirected the puck into the right side of the net, tying the game 1-1.

Less than two minutes into the second period, Worcester State scored quickly on a goal by Gunther Stange (Niles, Ill.). Mark Revniaga (Nahariya, Israel) recovered a loose puck and dished to Stange for the goal.

With 7:22 left in the second period, Matthew Manning (Novi, Mich.) and Henry Bruckner (Franklin, Mass.) were in front of goalie Sean Cleary (Barnstable, Mass.) battling for the puck. Persistence finally paid off for Manning, who punched the puck through for a 3-1 lead.

In the third period, Tim Drevitch (Oxford, N.J.) scored on a second effort beat Cleary as the Lancers took command 4-1.

Nevin Tardif (Dunstable, Mass.) got his first collegiate win on the afternoon, turning aside 34 Viking shots. Cleary allowed four goals while stopping 34 shots to take the loss.

Worcester State will conclude its regular season at home on Tuesday afternoon with a 4:40 p.m. puck drop against Fitchburg State University.

#WooMIH

Release courtesy of Salem State University Sports Information.