Posted: Feb 15, 2018
WESTFIELD, Mass. - Westfield State University's sophomore Daniel Backstrom (Helsinki, Finland) scored two goals to help lead the men's ice hockey team past Worcester State 5-2 in Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action in Thursday night's Pink the Rink night at Amelia Park Ice Arena.
With the win, the Owls improve to 10-11-1 overall and 8-8 in the MASCAC. The Lancers are now 13-9-1 on the season and 8-7-1 in the MASCAC.
Worcester State's freshman Ryan James (Katy, Texas) scored an unassisted goal off a rebound from his own shot just 48 seconds into the first period to put the Lancers ahead 1-0.
Westfield responded with a goal of their own as Backstrom scored his first in the 15th minute of the first period to tie the game 1-1.
Owls' sophomore Samuel Gagnon (Ille-Bizard, Quebec) dropped the puck for sophomore Pearce Vance (Berkley, Mich.) at the blue line in the fourth minute of the second as Vance beat sophomore goalkeeper Josh Reinstein (Woodland Hills, Calif.) with a wristlet from the left faceoff circle to lead 2-1.
Westfield State would find the back of the net twice more, with goals from sophomore Gerard Colpoys (Scituate, Mass.) on a power play in the eighth minute of the second, and sophomore F.X. Girard (St. Lazare, Quebec), 1:32 in the start of the third to lead 4-1.
Worcester State's senior Alex Pommerville (Macedon, N.Y) scored a power play goal with assists from junior Andrew Etheridge (Burrillville, R.I) and sophomore Brian Allen (Brookfield, Conn.) at 15:11 in the third period to cut the Owls' lead to two.
Backtrom added an empty net goal in the last minute of play to secure the 5-2 lead over the Lancers.
Sophomore Kameron Limburg (Howell, Mich.) made 34 saves in goal for the Owls while Reinstein turned away 21 shots in the setback for the Lancers.
Westfield State's Pink the Rink game aims to raise awareness and funds for cancer research.
The Owls will host Fitchburg State University, in their final home game of the season, on Saturday, February 17th at 5:35 p.m. Prior to the game, Westfield's five seniors Nik Passero (Fort Erie, Ont.), Jeremy Young (Lynnfield, Mass.) and Cody Campbell-Rich (Bellingham, WA), Donovan Gardiner ( Sterling Heights, MI) and Carl Greco (Niagara Falls, Ont.) will be recognized.
Worcester State will host UMass Dartmouth in their final home game of the season on Saturday at 7:00 p.m.
Pink the Rink Photo Gallery