Westfield State hockey will be hosting two special events, "Pizza with the Players" and the Hope Scores Big raffle, for their game against the UMass Dartmouth Corsairs on Saturday, December 2 at 5:35 p.m. at Amelia Park Arena
Westfield Junior Bombers' players have the chance to meet the Owls after the game at the Pizza with the Players event, and will be given free admission to the game if they wear their jerseys.
The Westfield State advanced public relations class will be selling raffle tickets to support the youth grief support organization, Rick's Place. This fundraising is part of their campaign, "Stick Together with Rick's Place Where Hope Scores Big," which is intended to raise awareness and funds for Rick's Place.
The Owls are off to a fine start in the early season, as they enter this game as the fifth seed in the MASCAC with a conference record of 2-1-1 and an overall record of 4-2-1. They are led offensively by the first-year duo of Christopher Miraldo (Montreal, Quebec) and Emile Pichette (Saint-Eustache, Quebec).
Miraldo has made a significant impact in his first collegiate season thus far, as he has already been awarded honors for MASCAC Rookie of the Week. The first-year forward has seven goals in the first seven games of the year, which is the second most in the MASCAC. He leads the Owls with eight total points.
Pichette is coming off of his first MASCAC honors as Rookie of the Week. His six assists are tied for the eight most in the MASCAC, and his seven total points trails only Miraldo for the team lead.
Senior goalie Kevin Chandler (Hanover, Mass.) has been the anchor for Westfield's tough defense, as he was awarded the MASCAC Goalie of the Week honors earlier in the season. His 232 saves and 92.8 save percentage are both good for second most in the conference.
UMass Dartmouth is off on the right foot this season as they enter this game as the third seed in the MASCAC with a 3-2 conference record and a 4-3 record overall. The Corsairs are led by fifth-year goalie Daniel Davidson (Surrey, B.C.) and first-year forward Collin Patterson (Rockledge, Fla.).
Davidson has registered 160 saves with a 91.4 save percentage, both numbers being good enough for the fifth highest in the conference. His 2.52 goals against average is the third lowest average in the MASCAC.
Patterson has made an immediate difference for Dartmouth as he is tied for the team lead with seven points. His six assists are tied for eight most in the conference.
Rick's Place is a non-profit organization that was created in honor of Wilbraham, Massachusetts native, Rick Thorpe, who tragically lost his life in the 9/11 attacks. The organization was founded in order to help younger people cope with the loss of a loved one with specialized support.
The Hope Scores Big taffle ticket prices: one ticket for $1, seven tickets for $5, and 15 tickets for $10.
Rick's Place programs include read-aloud programs at local schools, a number of different support groups, and grief-related training for teachers and mental health professionals.
Westfield State adjunct professor, Suzanne Boniface, says that her advanced public relations course partners with a non-profit organization every semester to give the students real hands-on experience and skills that will benefit them in their future careers. She also says that this campaign will increase awareness for Rick's Place and help them purchase the supplies they need to thrive as an organization.
Donations to the students' campaign can be made to the Venmo account @hopescoresbig or by visiting https://ricksplacema.org/donate/.
-- written by Cam Boudreau, sports information intern
