Pennucci Tips Home Game-Winner Late in Third to Send Lancers Past Vikings

WORCESTER, Mass. – Senior Nick Pennucci (Worcester, Mass.) redirected a shot from Henry Bruckner (Franklin, Mass.) with just over two and a half minutes remaining as Worcester State defeated Salem State 3-2 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) men's hockey action on Thursday evening at Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center.

With the win, their first at home in over two years, Worcester State improves to 4-6 on the year and 3-2 in the MASCAC. Salem State falls to 2-6, and 1-4 in conference play.

Pennucci's marker was his third of the year and 15^th of his career in 61 games played. It was the second power play goal of the game for the Lancers, and the fourth between both teams.

All the other scoring occurred in the first period, and Salem State scored two of the three power play goals in the opening twenty minutes. Salem State broke the ice when Erik Larsson (Lake Tahoe, Calif.) tipped home a shot with the extra man for his third goal of the year just 2:15 into play.

The Lancers answered by scoring twice within two minutes. The first, an even strength marker, came from Drew Eid (Gorham, Maine), his second of the year, and tied the game at the 9:20 mark. A minute and thirty-four seconds later, Brian Clougherty (Lynn, Mass.) scored his fourth goal of the year on the power play to give the home team their first lead of the game.

Max Roth (Chicago, Ill.) had assists on both Lancer goals in the opening frame.

A second power play of the period for the Vikings led to a tie game heading to the break. Keagan O'Donoghue (Frisco, Texas) needed just seconds into a man advantage to tie the game at 19:23, with Matt Yianacopolus (Wakefield, Mass.) and Connor Woolley (Poghquag, N.Y.) each assisting on their second goal of the night.

Jakub Kubik (Uherske Hradiste, Czech Republic) made 20 saves to earn the victory for Worcester State, improving to 3-2 in the net. Joona Sato-Hunsula (Turku, Finland) took the loss, despite making 37 saves for the Vikings.

Worcester State hits the road again for their next game, another MASCAC clash at Fitchburg State. That game is set for Saturday, December 4^th, with puck drop at 4:00 PM.

The Vikings stay on the road as well, heading to New Hampshire the same day for a 6:00 PM date with Plymouth State.