Lancers Grab First Victory of 2024 Downing Rams in Cod Fish Bowl

Worcester, MA- The Worcester State Men's Ice Hockey team returned to action in the 58th Annual Cod Fish Bowl Saturday afternoon when they took on the Suffolk University Rams in the consolation match of the kick off tournament of 2024.

Final:

Suffolk: 1

Worcester State: 3

The Lancers got off to a quick start in the Cod Fish Bowl, recording their opening shot just under a minute into the game. This early shooting would be a testament to the period as the Rams and Lancers skated around the ice each looking for the go ahead goal to grab their early lead. A penalty on junior  Ben Brockway(Phoenix, AZ) in the 8th minute would give the Rams a chance early, but the Lancers successfully killed off the power play to keep the game scoreless. Just four minutes later the Rams would be called for a penalty of their own and just 30 seconds later Worcester would capitalize on the opportunity, scoring the first goal of the game off the stick of junior Brigham Neuhold (Edmond, OK) with assists by senior Brian Clougherty (Lynn, MA) and senior Mikey Wilson (Alexandria, VA). The remainder of the period would see an evenly matched game that would see the period close with 17 shots on goal to 11 in Worcester's favor.

The second period would see a continuation of the stalemate of the late first period as the Lancers defense worked to knock away an increase in Suffolk attacking pressure. Worcester was called for three penalties in the period but were able to kill off each power-play while they were unsuccessful in their lone power play attempt of the period, as the Rams worked to tighten up their short-handed defense. With the game clock reading 52 seconds in the period, Worcester would double their lead off the stick of junior Matthew Kowal (Monson, MA) after his successful block of an attempt by the Rams Carter Schram. The second period would see the Rams up their offensive attack with 12 shots on goal to Worcester's 9, but Worcester would claim the 2-0 lead going into the third period of action.

The final period of action would again see the Lancers in top form, scoring goal number three of the afternoon just over five minutes into the action. Sophomore Anders Grongstad (Royal Oak, MI) would score the third goal off passes from first year Brady Carpenter (Peabody, MA) and a second assist on the day for Wilson. A penalty under two minutes later would allow Suffolk a chance to cut into the lead, but Worcester's power play defense remained on point and would do so about three minutes later when a second shorthand situation arose for Worcester. A second penalty on top would give Suffolk their best chance of the game, going up two skaters, and were finally able to capitalize on the penalty grabbing their first goal of the game and cutting the Lancer's lead to two goals with just over 6 minutes remaining in the game. Another late period penalty for the Lancers would see Suffolk with another opportunity to cut into the lead, but Worcester State's defense held off the attempt to preserve the 3-1 advantage. As the final minutes clicked down and the Rams pulled their goalie for an extra skater advantage, Worcester's defense held strong and blocked attempt after attempt in the Rams comeback attempt to claim the 3-1 victory, their first in the Cod Fish Tournament. Suffolk outshot the Lancers in the final period with 14 goals on cage to the Lancers four but junior Jakub Kubik (Uherske Hradiste, Czech Republic) was a wall in the cage, ending the game with 36 saves.

The Lancers (4-10, 3-6) return to action on January 11th when they travel to Westfield State for a 7:35pm puck drop in a return to MASCAC play.