Lancers open 2026 with Win over Golden Bears to Advance to Codfish Championship

Worcester, MA- With the kick off of 2026 the Worcester State Men's Ice Hockey team (4-4-3, 1-2-2) are back in action at the Codfish Bowl hosted by UMass-Boston to take on the Western New England Golden Bears.

Final

Worcester State: 6

Western New England: 1

How it Happened:

The Lancers did not hesitate in 2026 as they jumped on the board first in a New Year battle. Just over seven minutes into the first period junior Matt Lombardi (Hudson, MA) corralled a pass from sophomore Cam Quigley (Quincy, MA) after an aggressive offensive attack by the Lancers. The Blue and Gold would continue to attack the crease and capitalize on some strong chances but the Golden Bears managed to hold off the attack.

That wall could only last so long for Western New England as the Lancers were quick off the start in the new period as graduate student Shane Prifrel (Inver Grove Heights, MN) would slip a shot past the Golden Bears goalie after quick possession from first year Collin Tunnera (Marlborough, MA) and junior Matthew Nuzzolilo (Worcester, MA) just 25 seconds in. Just two minutes later Nuzzolilo would find the back of the net himself this time off a second assist from Quigley and the addition of first year Sean Tyrie (East Quogue, NY) to jump to the 3-0 lead. The Lancers would tack on one final goal before the close of the second as Bryce Grandbois would score off a powerplay with the help of Lombardi and sophomore Jacob Costa (Cranston, RI) to move into the third up 4-0.

The Lancers would close out the third with staunch defense and further offensive momentum as Grandbois would work the puck across the ice from Tunnera for goal number five on the day for the Lancers. A further power play just over a minute later would find goal number six off the stick of junior Brady Carpenter (Peabody, MA) from the passes of Costa and Grandbois. The Golden Bears would push late, getting a penalty with just over four minutes in regulation but the Worcester defense was impenetrable, keeping WNE off the scoreboard with a successful penalty kill, but with just under a minute and a half in action the Golden Bears would finally manage to put a digit on the board, but the goal came to late for any significant impact as Worcester claimed the 6-1 win. 

Junior Derick Alfama (Douglas, MA) would take the win with 26 saves in the action.

What's Next:

The Lancers (5-4-3, 1-2-2) will now square off versus UMass-Boston in the Codfish Bowl Championship at 4pm.