Worcester, MA- As the final games of the regular season hit the schedule, the Worcester State Men's Ice Hockey team (10-10-2, 7-6-2) are back in the conference schedule as they take on Anna Maria in a rescheduled meeting. This meeting between the two teams was initially scheduled for February 6th, but the severe weather of the day forced the game back to today as the Lancers play their 5th game in just 10 days. Worcester is currently in the hunt for a top four finish in the conference as they look to host an opening round home game in the conference tournament.
Final- OT
Worcester State: 4
Anna Maria: 5
How it Happened:
The first period was a closely contested fight, both Anna Maria and Worcester State had numerous chances of scoring but failed to find the net in the early action. Worcester was finally able to get their opportunities on the board at 10:38 by junior Anders Grongstad (Royal Oak, MI) on an assist from senior Brigham Neuhold (Edmond, OK). The goalkeepers from both teams, Anna Maria's Cole Johnston and Worcester's Senior Wyatt Friedlander (Lake Placid, NY), made excellent saves keeping the game competitive. Defensive plays were strong on both ends, with several shots blocked and opportunities thwarted. The second goal was made nearing the end of the first period by sophomore Matthew Nuzzolilo (Worcester, MA) and assisted by sophomore Stirling Nash (Seattle, WA). Faceoffs were contested closely, and while each team brought heavy pressure offensively, Worcester had a 2-0 lead as they headed into the second period.
Anna Maria established themselves in the second period, capitalizing on their opportunities to have three consecutive unanswered goals. Brandon Della Paolera tied the game up at 16:29 with a power play opportunity, helped by Pearce Baker and Derek Rapso. The AMCATs maintained the pressure, and Worcester's defensive work aside, Guillaume Coulombe accounted for two on the evening. The Lancers made some strides in finding openings but were never able to test Anna Maria goalie Matthew Hennessey successfully and the period ended with Anna Maria taking the lead, up 3-2.
Worcester mounted a comeback during the third period, closing their two-goal gap to enter overtime with the score settled at 4-4. Senior Shane Prifrel (Inver Grove Heights, MN) scored Worcester's first goal of the third period just three minutes into the action and reduced Anna Maria's lead to a 3-3 tie. Anna Maria would start controlling again with a Spencer Carpenter shot a goal back at 3:57 to recover their goal advantage. But Worcester refused to quit, and Nuzzolilo would record his second of the night to settle the game back at 4-4 with just under six minutes to go in regulation. The Lancers would be unable to grab the win in the third and force some OT action where the AMCATs would sneak in their fifth goal with just over 90 seconds remaining until shootouts to claim the overtime win.
What's Next:
The Blue and Gold (10-11-2, 7-7-2) have a quicker break in gameplay before they are back on the ice on Thursday at 7:40 pm when they head to Framingham State.