Senior forward Jason Nelson, who was sidelined for the first four games this season with an injury, scored two goals to lead the undefeated Owls at Worcester. (Photo courtesy of Westfield State University)
AUBURN, Mass. – Senior Jason Nelson (Rowley, NC) potted a pair of goals and junior Billy Miller (Morgan Hill, CA) dished three assists as they both paced Westfield State to a 5-1 victory over Worcester State in MASCAC men’s ice hockey Thursday evening.
The Owls (5-0, 2-0 MASCAC) got off to a fast start when Nelson found the net 1:53 into the game for his first marker of the season, then freshman Kyllian Kirkwood (Copper Cliff, Ontario) scooped in his first collegiate tally at the 15:04 mark.
Miller was a factor in both goals which came off the power play for the visitors as they ended the first stanza with the 2-0 advantage.
Westfield State increased their margin to 4-0 with a pair of markers towards the end of the middle frame. Nelson registered his second goal at 13:08 and sophomore Frank Zuccaro (Newmarket, Ontario) added the other goal just 14 ticks later.
In the third, the Lancers (0-5, 0-2 MASCAC) broke the shutout when freshman Mike Leskun (Geneva, IL) notched the first goal of his career on an assist from sophomore Cody Osburn (Sacramento, CA) with 10:21 on the clock.
Junior Tyler Prendergast (Richmond Hill, Ontario) scored on a two-on-one breakaway off his own rebounded shot for the game’s final tally with 1:08 remaining in regulation.
Sophomore Ian Perrier (Whitehorse, Yukon Territory) was outstanding as he stopped 39 of the 40 shots he saw on net. Worcester junior Tyler Fant (Boise, ID) played the first two periods and recorded 17 saves before he was relieved by freshman Salvatore Tecchi (Franklin, MA) who turned aside seven shots last period.
The Lancers actually outshot their opponents 40-29, but failed to execute on the power play as they were 0-for-7, including three in the final stanza. Westfield State enjoyed a 3-for-5 line with the extra man advantage.
With six dishes on the season each, Miller and senior Lucas Romero (Santa Margarita, CA) tie for the MASCAC lead.
Both squads will entertain MASCAC opponents on Saturday at home. Worcester State hosts local rival Fitchburg State at 4:30 while the Owls will play Framingham State at 5:35 PM.
