Ice Hockey Outlasts UMass Dartmouth, 3-2

Auburn, MA --- Senior John Cahalane (Tewksbury, MA) potted the game winning goal with 10:02 left in the third period to propel Worcester State to a 3-2 triumph over UMass Dartmouth in MASCAC ice hockey action this evening at Horgan Memorial Rink. 

With the win, the Lancers improve to 7-9-3 overall and 4-7-2 in the conference as they stop a seven game losing skid against the Corsairs with their last victory coming in a 3-2 win on January 23, 2010. 

UMD slips to 13-6-2 (8-4-1 MASCAC) and drops to third-place as Plymouth State defeated Westfield State, 4-2.

The Blue and Gold began the scoring just before the midway point of the first period after two UMass Dartmouth penalties gave the Lancers a five-on-three man advantage.  Freshman Brenton Dyok (Rocklin, CA) scored his fourth goal of the season on a rebound in front of the net, giving WSU the 1-0 edge at the 10:29 mark.

The Corsairs started their offensive 41 seconds into the second period when senior Mike Owens (South Boston, MA) scored his MASCAC-leading 16th goal of the year on a shot wrist shot from the right circle tying the score at 1-1. 

With less than five minutes remaining in the second frame, the crowd of more than 350 witnessed both teams' special teams abilities.  Down a skater, Worcester State's penalty kill took advantage of an opportunity and pushed the puck down into the zone where freshman Stephen Rock (Tulsa, OK) cleaned up a rebound to give WSU the lead at the 17:01 mark. 

Twenty-five seconds later, UMass Dartmouth was able to tie the score at 2-2 apiece on the power-play as senior Justin Pye (Medford, MA) scored his first collegiate goal launching a shot from the point with assists by junior William Colclough (Naples, FL) and freshman Steve Laliberte (East Falmouth, MA). 

At 10:02 of the third, Cahalane launched a shot from the center that found the back of the net as Dyok and freshman Taylor Laneville (Edmonds, WA) assisted on the go-ahead marker.

UMass Dartmouth increased their offensive intensity as the outshot WSU 16-8 in the third stanza, however, they could not tie the game with the goaltender pulled at the end of the contest for 1:15 of empty net time.

Worcester State goalie Bryan Kalczynski (Tonawanda, NY) was spectacular in net as he pushed aside 31 shots while UMD junior net-minder Ryan Williams (Milton, ON) stood strong blocking 33 shots in the setback.

In what proved to be an even but physical affair, the teams combined for 10 penalties totaling 20 minutes.  Both teams scored one goal apiece with the extra man-advantage as the Lancers scored the lone short-handed tally. 

The Blue and Gold held the slim 36-33 shot advantage including a 13-7 edge in the first period. 

Both squads will continue MASCAC play in their next games. Worcester State will travel to Westfield State on Saturday for a 5:35 PM puck-drop, while UMass Dartmouth entertains Salem State on Thursday at 7:30 PM.

Release by Jim Sarkisian - Sports Information Assistant