WORCESTER, Mass. - The Worcester State University men's ice hockey team suffered a 5-2 defeat at the hands of Framingham State Saturday evening in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference action at the Worcester Ice Center.
With the loss, Worcester State drops its fourth consecutive contest, falling to 5-9-1 on the season and 3-6-0 in the MASCAC. Framingham improves to 2-12-1 and 1-8-0 in the MASCAC.
Worcester State outshot the Rams 20-4 in the opening 20 minutes, but it was the visiting Rams that jumped out to a 2-1 lead after one. John Sheehan opened the scoring for the Rams at the 6:48 mark of the first, with assists credited to Soren Colstrup and Matt Paiotti. At the 9:36 mark, the Rams extended their lead to 2-0 when Brian Kozek netted his first goal of the season, with assists credited to Sheehan and Colstrup. The Lancers responded just 21 second later however, as junior Matthew Manning (Novi, Mich.) popped home a rebound for his team-leading seventh goal of the season. Max Roth (Chicago, Ill.) and Kevin Drevitch (Oxford, N.J.) got helpers on the tally.
Junior Jake Karelas (Melrose, Mass.) cleaned up a Manning rebound for his second goal of the season 6:14 into the second period, tying the score at 2-2. The tie was short-lived however, as Ethan Cervonayco responded just 55 seconds later, a goal that would eventually prove to be the game-winner.
Midway through the third, Chris Rupp scored an insurance marker for the Rams, and Paiotti added an empty netter with 1.8 seconds to play to give the game its final score of 5-2.
Greg Harney stood on his head in net for the Rams, making 46 saves on 48 chances to be named the game's first star. Sheehan and Colstrup earned second and third star honors.
Freshman Blake Bjella (Mesa, Ariz.) took the loss for Worcester State in net, allowing two goals and making 11 saves in two periods of action. Senior Josh Reinstein (Woodland Hills, Calif.) started the game in net for the Lancers, allowing two goals on four shots, but got a no-decision.
Worcester State will look to snap its skid with a road trip to Plymouth State on Thursday. Puck drop is set for 6 p.m.
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