Lancers Honor Evan Armit in "11 Fund" Creation Game versus Falcons

Worcester, MA- The Worcester State Men's Ice Hockey team (9-8-4, 2-5-3) returned home tonight to host a game in honor of student athlete Evan Armit, who passed away in August, and the creation of the "11-Fund" in his honor. This fund, created with the support of Teddy Bear Pools and Spas, will be a permanent endowment established at Worcester State University to honor the legacy of student-athlete Evan Armit, who passed away on August 24, 2025, at the age of 23 following a courageous battle with metastatic melanoma. 

Evan's teammates proposed the creation and the name of this fund as a tribute to Evan's jersey number #11, with the team setting an $11,000 fundraising goal. Designed to support the Worcester State Men's Ice Hockey program in perpetuity, the fund will provide critical financial resources to enhance the student-athlete experience for the men's hockey team, including equipment, meals, and other operational expenses.

Final- OT

Worcester State: 5

Fitchburg State: 6

How it Happened:

The Lancers came out with a lot of energy in the first period and were finally able to capitalize with a little over 11 minutes into the first period when senior Shane Prifrel (Inner Grove Heights, MN) took matters into his own hands and put Worcester up 1-0. The rest of the period saw a few good chances by each team but neither were able to find the net leaving WSU with the lead heading into the second period.

The second period brought some fireworks with a high scoring affair. The Blue and Gold started Worcester off by taking an early 2-0 lead on a power play when first year Sean Tyrie (East Quogue, NY) was able to strike off an assist by sophomore Bryce Grandbois (Windsor, ON). However, later in the period, the Falcons found themselves a grand opportunity with a penalty shot and were able to put themselves on the board, making it 2-1. The Falcons were able to carry this momentum further when an unassisted slap shot zipped its way by Worcester defenders and tied the game 2-2. It all became focused on the third and final period of play to see who will walk out with a win tonight in this conference clash.

As if the first two periods weren't entertaining enough, the third period saw a total of 6 goals scored in a shootout style finish. WSU once again started the scoring with a goal right away scored by junior Michael Schaaf (Nashua, NH) just nine seconds into the third. However the Falcons stayed persistent and just over a minute later would again tie up the game and then claim the lead just over three minutes later on a power play opportunity. Worcester would not let the lead stand for long though as junior Matthew Nuzzolilo (Worcester, MA) would get the assist from senior Anders Gronstad (Royal Oak, MI) and Prifrel. Tyrie would then provide Worcester the lead again nine minutes into the third but in a return of fair play Fitchburg would settle the score at 5. The second half of the third was a surprisingly scoreless affair considering how the period started and while each team looked for the game winner, regulation would wrap up with the teams still deadlocked. It would take half of the overtime period for Fitchburg to claim the win on a quick release goal.

What's Next:

Worcester State (9-9-4, 2-6-3) is back on the road next Thursday at 7:40pm to take on the Rams of Framingham State.