Lancers Fall In a Shootout to AMCATs

Worcester, MA- The Worcester State Men's Ice Hockey team (7-6-3, 1-3-2) is looking to add another win to their win column tonight with a quick trip to Auburn and the Horgan Arena to take on the AMCATs of Anna Maria in a crucial conference battle.

Final (L SO)

Worcester State: 2

Anna Maria: 2

How it Happened:

It would be a quick start for Worcester as they took on Anna Maria in a Thursday night conference battle. Just over a minute on the ice would find junior Matthew Nuzzolilo (Worcester, MA) collecting a graduate student Shane Prifrel (Inver Grove Heights, MN) rebound for the opening scoring action. The AMCATs would have a chance to settle the score early in the period but the Lancers successfully secured the power play kill to preserve their lead. Anna Maria would attempt to gain the edge late, outshooting Worcester 13-7, but the first period would close in Worcester's favor

The AMCATs would have the chance early in the second as a final second slashing penalty carried into the second period. For the second time in action though, Worcester successfully killed the power play, plus two additional, to hold the one goal lead through the second, until the final few minutes. With just over five minutes remaining in the period, the AMCATs tied the game up and followed it up with the lead goal for an exciting move into the third.

The Lancers would rise to the challenge with a second goal halfway through the period off of junior Stirling Nash (Edmonds, WA) clipper from Nuzzolilo and sophomore Bryce Grandbois (Windsor, ON) to set the score at 2-2. Worcester's early season was riddled with tight games and they were hoping that experience would serve them well down the finish. While they would not claim the regulation, their focus would shift to overtime for the win, but history would tag itself on the Lancers as the game moved to overtime and shoot outs where Worcester would drop the match in the fourth round.

Junior Salvatore Carabelli (Shelby Township, MI) would close the night for the tie with 35 saves.

What's Next:

Worcester State (7-6-4, 1-3-3) is right back in action with a return to their home ice tomorrow night as they host the Hiram Terriers at 7:10pm.