TJ Powers tied the game for the Owls. (File Photo)
WESTFIELD – Garrett White’s breakaway goal at the end of the second period proved to be the game-winner as Stonehill College defeated Westfield State University, 3-2 in a non-conference men’s ice hockey game at Amelia Park on Wednesday night.
Stonehill had jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the contest, on a first-period goal from Anthony D’Elia and an early second period power play marker from Kevin Auferio.
Westfield responded with a pair of goals of their own in the second to tie the game.
Nik Passero tallied at the goal at the 5:03 mark of the second, burying a feed from Kyllian Kirkwood, who walked the puck down the crease and fed Passero at the right side of the net. The Owls tied the game on a nifty two-on-none breakaway as Maxime Richard deftly centered the puck for T.J Powers at the 7:46 mark of the period.
White tooka breakout pass and got in clean on Owls netminder Jonathan LoParco, burying a shot at the right post with just 10.7 seconds left in the period for what proved.
Both goalies had strong third periods, with LoParco stopping 12 shots and Stonehill’s Chris Tasiopoulos stymieing the Owls on 11 shots. Westfield pulled LoParco for the final 45 seconds but the owls were unable to bury an equalizer.
Westfield falls to 7–4 with the loss. The Owls are off until after this semester break. Stonehill improved to 5-2-2 with the win and are riding a seven game unbeaten streak after an 0-2 start.
