Ice Hockey, UMass Dartmouth Play To 3-3 Draw In Overtime

N. Dartmouth, MA --- UMass Dartmouth senior Shaun Walters (Plymouth, MI/Rochester Ice Hawks) netted third period two goals and the game-tying marker with 28 ticks left in regulation to help pace the Corsairs in a 3-3 overtime tie with Worcester State this evening in MASCAC men's ice hockey action at the Hetland Arena.

The Lancers (1-1-2, 0-0-1 MASCAC) opened the contest with the early 2-0 advantage by the 10:52 mark in the first period.

Senior Nathan Stanley (Meriden, ID/Idaho Junior Steelheads) registered his team-best fourth of the campaign on a one-timer to jump start the offense and then junior Joe White (Wonder Lake, IL/Southern Oregon Spartans) gave WSU the two-goal margin midway though the frame.

UMD (0-1-2, 0-0-2 MASCAC), however, answered with an unassisted tally by freshman Casey Shea (Woburn, MA/Islanders Hockey Club) with 44 seconds remaining in the first stanza.

The middle period was a frustrating one for the Lancers as they failed to capitalize on a pair of power plays and took over the 33-15 margin in total shots after two periods.

In the third, the Corsairs came back with a vengeance finishing with the 14-11 margin in attempts on net. 

Walters found the back of the net with some help by Shea and classmate Jaret Babych (N. Vancouver, British Columbia/Chilliwak Chiefs) just 41 ticks off the clock.

WSU killed a power play with five minutes remaining in regulation and then scored on the first marker of the season by senior Andrew Bates (Marblehead, MA/Boston Jr. Bulldogs), who was assisted by Rich Ledy (Marquette, MI/Soo Thunderbirds) to make the score 3-1 with 2:49 left in the game.

As time wound down in the contest, UMass Dartmouth pulled their keeper and Walters scored with an extra attacker on the ice to knot up the contest following a cross by Shea for his third helper of the game.

The Lancers outshot their opponents 8-2 in the extra session, but couldn't score the golden goal.

UMass Dartmouth net minder JJ Solloway (Derry, NH/Northern Cyclones) was sensational between the pipes with 49 saves - including the final eight in overtime - to pace the hosts. Junior Salvatore Tecci (Franklin, MA/Long Beach Bombers) turned aside 28 shots in the draw for WSU.

The Blue and Gold outshot their opponents 52-31 overall and were 0-for-4 on power plays while UMD did not score on its only chance with an extra skater on the ice.

Both squads continue their MASCAC slate on Saturday evening. Worcester State hosts Fitchburg State in their home opener at the Hart Center in a 7 PM affair. The Corsairs travel to Plymouth State for a 6 o'clock match-up at the Hannaway Rink.

Photo Courtesy Of UMass Dartmouth Sports Information