Vince Perrault prepares to gather in a loose puck following a shot attempt off the UMass Dartmouth goalie to score the game-winning goal. (Photo by Cody Goldman)
WESTFIELD – Westfield State University scored three power play goals, including the game-winner by senior captain Vince Perreault (view video on hockey home page), for a 5-3 comeback victory over UMass Dartmouth in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) ice hockey action Thursday.
Westfield improved to 9-6-1 in the MASCAC and 10-12-1 overall to remain in contention for the conference regular season crown. Salem and Plymouth are tied for first place with identical 9-5-2 records while Westfield and Framingham trail the frontrunners by a point. UMass Dartmouth falls to 5-12 in the MASCAC and 5-17-2 overall.
The Corsairs jumped out to a 2-0 first-period lead on goals by Shaun Walters and John Sartell. Westfield evened the score later in the period on a pair of power play goals. Senior Taylor Murphy scored on a 5-on-3 power play 18:06 into the game and freshman Jackson Leef scored a man up goal 43 seconds later.
UMass Dartmouth regained the lead on an unassisted goal by Dmitry Antipin 5:45 into the second stanza. Westfield again evened the score nearly nine minutes later on a goal from Frank Zuccaro.
Perreault’s power play game-winning goal came with 6:33 remaining in the third period following a scramble in front of the net. Dalton Jay tacked on an empty net goal with 29 seconds remaining. Jay and Perreault are the Owls’ leading scorers this season with 23 points apiece.
Westfield outshot UMass Dartmouth, 42-37. Owl goalie Ian Perrier recorded 34 saves, Corsair goal Ben Vandervies made 37 stops.
