Ice Hockey Captures City Shootout Tournament Crown In Victory Over Becker

Burrillville, RI --- Worcester State sophomore Nathan Stanley (Meridian, ID) scored what proved to be the game-winning goal and added an assist as the Lancers claimed the second annual Worcester City Shootout title with a 4-3 triumph over Becker at Levy Rink on Sunday afternoon.

With the win, Worcester State improves to 2-6 while the Hawks slip to 3-4. The triumph avenged a season-opening 3-2 setback that the Blue and Gold suffered in overtime at the IFCU Shootout Classic at Fitchburg State.

The Hawks also defeated WSU in last year's City Shootout title game in a 4-3 extra session decision at Buffone Rink.

Becker took advantage of a power play and took the early lead at 13:08 courtesy senior Branden Parkhouse's (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) team-leading sixth goal of the season. Freshman Gerald Owen (Chesapeake, VA) and junior Korby Anderson (Owantonna, MI) assisted on the goal.

Sophomore Stephen Rock (Tulsa, OK) put Worcester State up on the board with a power-play goal of his own that came with only 58 seconds remaining in the opening period. Rock received a pass from classmate Cody Osburn (Sacramento, CA), who initially caught a pass from Stanley and deposited it into the net to tie up the contest at 1-1.

With play going back and forth throughout the second period, Anderson helped the Hawks regain the lead with his third tally of the season. Parkhouse then gave Becker the 2-1 lead 4:41 left in the period.

Worcester State freshman Joe White (Wonder Lake, IL) responded and tied up the game at 2-2 with a power-play goal with 1:21 left in the third period. White was assisted by classmate Mike Leskun (Geneva, IL) and junior Curtis Martin (Okotokas, Alberta.).

The Lancers didn't waste any time in the third period when freshman Cody Brier (Marlboro, MA) scored a power-play goal that carried over from the second period at 19:02 left in the third. Brier was set up by junior Derek Serbon (Crown Point, IN) on the play which gave the Lancers their first lead of the game.

Worcester State then notched a short-handed tally off the stick of Stanley at 16:03 in the final period. Sophomore Vinny Bohn (Spring Hill, FL) assisted on the insurance marker as the Blue and Gold held a 4-2 advantage.

Becker continued to fight until the final buzzer and was rewarded by a goal off the stick of Parkhouse with 7:55 remaining in the game. Senior James Shea (Broad Channel, NY) set up Parkhouse as the Hawks made it a one-goal contest.

The Hawks pulled their netminder twice in the last 2:30 of play, but it was to no avail as the Lancers hung on for the hard-fought triumph.

Worcester State freshman Salvatore Tecci (Franklin, MA) collected his second victory in the tournament, collecting 22 saves and improving to 2-0 on the campaign, to earn a spot on the All-Tournament Team.

Freshman Gregg Hussey (Medford, MA) of Becker suffered the loss as he faced 25 shots.

Stanley also earned recognition on the All-Tournament team for contributing an assist and the game-winning marker for a short-handed tally.

Major Portions Of Release Courtesy of Nichols Sports Information