NEW BEDFORD, Mass. – Westfield State scored to open the third period and held on for a 2-1 win over UMass Dartmouth in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) men's hockey action on Thursday evening at Hetland Arena. The Owls improve to 9-6-0 and are now 5-4-0 in conference play, while the Corsairs move to 8-8-0 and 5-4-0 in the MASCAC.
Locked in a 1-1 tie after two periods of play, Westfield State junior left winger Cooper Board rifled home a shot low in the left circle past the glove of Corsairs netminder
Graham Burke just 15 seconds into the third period. Sophomore forward Emile Pichette, who intercepted the puck in the Owls defensive end, sending a pass ahead to Board, was credited with the assist.
The Corsairs had several chances to tie the game up but were unable to capitalize on a power play chance midway through the period. UMD pulled Burke in the final two minutes following a timeout by the home team, but were unable to take advantage as time expired.
It was the Corsairs that got on the board first in the contest, driving home a power play marker at 5:42 of the second. Junior right wing and assistant captain
Kevin Johnston, positioned low in the right circle near the goal line, chipped the puck up to the top of the circle to sophomore center
Nolan Wutzke. Sending a pass through the slot, rookie defenseman
Hunter Scanlon was there to bury his fourth of the season.
The Owls answered at 12:20, netting the equalizer on a power play of their own. Sophomore forward Christopher Miraldo got the play going, sending a pass to senior defender Raphael Seguin in the left circle. He fired in a shot that was tipped in front by junior forward Julian Boisclair past the reach of Burke.
In goal, the Owls saw rookie Aiden Winslow earn the victory, recording 22 saves on the night, while Burke shouldered the loss with 33 stops on the other end.
UMass Dartmouth is back on the ice in MASCAC action on Saturday, traveling to Fitchburg State for a 5pm tilt against the Falcons.
