Steve Evans scores on a first-period breakaway to give Westfield a 1-0 lead. (Photo by Mickey Curtis)
WESTFIELD – The Westfield State University men’s ice hockey team struck for three goals in the opening 2:11 of the second period in rolling to a 6-1 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) victory over Salem State University on Monday afternoon.
The Owls improved to 6-4-1 in the highly competitive MASCAC and 10-6-1 overall; they are tied for second place in the conference with UMass Dartmouth, trailing Plymouth State by two points. Salem, which defeated Westfield, 5-2, earlier this season, is 5-4-1 and 8-7-1.
Westfield led 1-0 after the first period on a breakaway goal from sophomore forward Steve Evans. Evans also assisted on two goals to finish with a game-high three points in the Owls’ balanced attack.
Steve Evans scores on a first-period breakaway to give Westfield a 1-0 lead. (Photo by Mickey Curtis)
Westfield erupted for three quick goals in the opening two minutes of the second stanza, forcing Salem veteran head coach William O’Neill to make a goalie change.
Todd Gebert got the scoring run started with a nice back handed goal 40 seconds into the period. Frank Zuccaro stuffed a shot between the goalie pads at the 1:11 mark, then Westfield leading scorer TJ Powers patiently poked in a goal in front of the net for a 4-0 lead.
Salem scored with 7:04 left in the second stanza on a goal from Eric Defelice. P.J. McCadden countered with a nice put back goal as the Owls led 5-1 at the second intermission. Rory Wilkowich capped the scoring with a power play goal with 35 seconds left in the game.
Westfield was outshot 43-26. Owl goalie Eddie Davey racked up 42 saves with several spectacular stops.
