WESTFIELD – The Westfield State University ice hockey team overcame an early deficit, erupting for four second-period goals to defeat Fitchburg State University, 7-2, on Thursday.
The streaking Owls extended their unbeaten streak to five games in upping their overall record to 11-6-1, and moved into second place in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletics Conference (MASCAC) with a 7-4-1 mark.
Fitchburg, which defeated Westfield, 5-2, earlier this season, is 6-9-2 and 5-5-1.
Westfield erupted for four second-stanza goals for the second straight game, this time in the opening 10 minutes of the period.
Westfield junior captain Vince Perreault tied the score at 2-2 on a short-handed goal 43 seconds into the period. Freshman Kyllian Kirkwood scored the game-winning goal on a power play 5:57 into the period.
Senior Lucas Romero scored on a shot from the right wing two minutes later, and senior Jeff Callahan capping the scoring onslaught with a goal at the 9:51 mark for a 5-2 lead.
The Owls rolled a lucky seven as they added two goals in the third period. Junior Tyler Prendergast was the game’s only multiple goal scorer as he lit the lamp 2:21 into the final stanza. Steve Evans scored on a power play late in the stanza.
Fitchburg came out strong and led 2-1 after the first period on power play goals from Maz Lorenzen and Ryan Bedford. Prendergast tied the score at 1-1 with 2:01 left in the period but the Falcons regained the lead exactly a minute later on Bedard’s goal.
Westfield sophomore goalie Ian Perrier pitched a shutout in the final two periods and was outstanding between the pipes with 42 saves, including a spectacular highlight film glove save off a rebound late in the second period.
