Penalty Shot the Difference as Vikings Blank Lancers on Skating Strides Night

WORCESTER, Mass. – Worcester State raised money and awareness for the fight against breast cancer on Thursday evening, but fell 1-0 to visiting Salem State University in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) men's ice hockey at Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center. 

The Lancers team with "Skating Strides Against Breast Cancer" and the Pre-Health Club at Worcester State to raise money for the Ellie Fund, a local non-profit that provides essential support services for breast cancer patients. 

"Worcester State's Men's Ice Hockey team is honored to host its first Skating Strides game in support of the Ellie Fund," said alternate captain Sean Gavin (Galena, Ohio), who helped to organize the event. "With Worcester being the second most served city in Massachusetts, this is a great opportunity for student-athletes and those a part of the Worcester State community to give back to the surrounding area and support a great cause. With the Ellie Fund serving 71 patients in Worcester in 2021, plus an additional 82 household members, costs are nearly $100,000. We are elated to partner with the Ellie Fund and support such an important cause." 

"The Worcester State Men's Hockey Program's Skating Strides Event is a great opportunity to join in the fight to defeat Breast Cancer," said Head Coach Bob Deraney. "Partnering with the Ellie Fund gives us the perfect way to do our part to help the people in our community dealing with this terrible disease. We are proud to join in this fight and look forward to the day that the medical community eradicates this disease." 

During the game, the Lancers also made mention of several women with connections to the team who have beaten the disease or are fighting to do so. Among the names were Jackie Gavin, Jennifer Hinton, Kim Wingart, Ida Guerrero, Karen Walchli, Jane Hofmann, Cristy Lefere, Donna DeFeudis, and Barbara Fahey.  

When it came down to the hockey itself, the difference was a penalty shot goal by the Vikings (9-11, 7-9 MASCAC) in the second period, provided by Joe Smith Joe Smith (Holbrook, Mass.). 

Smith drew an interference penalty on a net drive and won a penalty shot, which he converted for his team-leading 12^th goal of the season. 

The Lancers (10-12-1, 7-8-1 MASCAC) hit three posts in the game and couldn't get a puck past Vikings freshman Aaron Mercer (Corner Brook, NL), who made 31 saves to earn the shutout. 

Jakub Kubik (Uherske Hradiste, Czech Republic) made 28 saves, allowing just the one goal, but falls to 5-6-1 between the pipes. 

Worcester State has two more games left in the regular season. They will be at Fitchburg State this Saturday afternoon before hosting Framingham State on Monday, February 21^st in the regular season finale. 

The Vikings are at Plymouth State Saturday before they host Framingham themselves on Tuesday in a back-to-back for the Rams.