Worcester State Pushes Game to Final Minutes in Battle on Senior Night

Worcester, MA- With the final game of the regular season the Worcester State Men's Ice Hockey team (11-11-2, 8-7-2) is battling it out for fourth seed finish for the MASCAC Tournament. With a few point lead on Fitchburg State, who's game versus Westfield was postponed in the second period on Thursday, the final seeding is up in the air but a win tonight over Salem State would help the Lancers chances in claiming the home ice advantage in the opening round action.

Tonight's game is also in honor of their senior class members of Martin Dlugolinsky (Stara Lubovna, Slovakia), Drew Eid (Gorham, ME), Wyatt Friedlander (Lake Placid, NY), Matt Kowal (Monson, MA), Jakub Kubik (Uherske Hradiste, Czech Republic), Brigham Neuhold (Edmond, OK), Matt Peckham (Plymouth, MA), Christian Phinney (Draper, UT), Cody Porcello (Melrose, MA), Shane Prifrel (Inver Grove Heights, MN) and Max Tucker (Kalamazoo, MI). 

Final

Worcester State: 4

Salem State: 6

How it Happened:

In this senior night critical conference matchup the Lancers who are placed 4th prior to the game would play the Salem State Vikings who would enter 3rd in the MASCAC standings. The Lancers would propel themselves ahead less than a minute into the game through a terrific goal scored by Prifrel who capitalized on his one on one opportunity against the Vikings Goaltender. A few minutes later Salem State would equalize, levelling the game at 1-1. Salem State would continue to apply the pressure hard putting another one in the Lancers net making the scoreline 2-1. With 8 minutes left in the first Neuhold would slot one past the Vikings keeper which would be set up by graduate student Brian Clougherty (Lynn, Mass.) putting the Lancers right back into the game. A power play with five minutes left in the first would open up an opportunity for the Lancers to continue their offensive momentum due to an interference call on the Vikings. The Vikings would keep it tight on the defensive end translating to the away team going a goal up making the game 3-2 right before the end of the first period. 

Entering the second period the teams would get right back to where they left off through some physical play on both sides of the ice. At the 14 minute mark the Lancers would tie the game up through first year defender Cam Quigley (Quincy, MA ) who used some silky skills to get by his man and after sniping one into the netting. The play would be constructed through Neuhold and  sophomore Maximilian Hussar (New Canaan, CT). Minutes later the Lancers would fire themselves ahead of the Vikings through a tidy goal scored by sophomore forward Stirling Nash (Seattle, WA) assisted by Sophomore Forward Matthew Nuzzolilo (Worcester, MA) and Prifrel flipping the game right on its head. The Lancers would show some great team chemistry keeping their netting safe the entire period leaving the Vikings scoreless in the second period. 

To start the third period the Lancers would be forced to play a man down due to a late tripping penalty. Worcester State would buckle down on defense effectively shutting down any momentum Salem State were trying to implement into the game. With three minutes left in the period Salem State would tie the game up once more putting the score to 4-4. A minute later Salem State would find another one. In an attempt to equalize the game the Lancers would pull their goaltender but ultimately would concede another losing the game 6-4. 

What's Next:

As the Lancers (11-12-2, 8-8-2) await the final seeding in the tournament, the Lancers hope to host a home MASCAC quarterfinal meeting next Thursday with a 2:50pm puck drop.