Box Score
WESTFIELD, Mass. – Four second-period power-play goals powered Fitchburg State to an 8-4 victory over Westfield State in a key MASCAC men’s ice hockey game on Saturday, Jan. 23.
It was the sixth straight victory for the Falcons, who are 11-3-1 overall and 7-2 in the MASCAC. It was the first conference setback for the Owls, who are 9-5-2 overall. Fitchburg, Westfield (6-1-2) and Salem (6-2-2) are tied for first place in the MASCAC with 14 points apiece. Framingham and Salem battled to a 2-2 tie in Salem on Saturday.
Westfield took an early 1-0 lead on a power play goal by Dylan Scanlon 3:38 into the game. But the Falcons struck for three goals in less than two minutes for a 3-1 lead 6:33 into the game.
Eight players scored in the Falcons’ balanced attack with Patrick Dolan leading the way with a goal and two assists. Chris Riggs, Bryan Canter and Thomas McAleer each had a goal and an assist.
Westfield, which won at Fitchburg, 6-5, earlier this season, closed to within a goal, 3-2, on freshman Lucas Romero’s goal 7:19 into the game.
But the Owls then self destructed as they played nearly the entire second period short handed. Westfield was whistled for 17 penalties, 15 of which were served in the second stanza. Fitchburg took advantage of Westfield’s undisciplined play, scoring four second-period goals for a commanding 7-2 lead.
First Period Scoring:
Westfield: Dylan Scanlon, 3:32, PP
Fitchburg: Thomas McAleer (Justin Quinn), 4:58
Fitchburg: John Vets (Trevor Lawler, Patrick Dolan), 5:42
Fitchburg: Bryan Canter (Chris Riggs), 6:33
Westfield: Lucas Romero (Jon Madsen, Casey Mignone), 7:19
Second Period Scoring:
Fitchburg: Kris Threlkeld (Erik Trahan, Thomas McAleer), 4:03, PP
Fitchburg: Kevin McCready (Patrick Dolan, Erik Trahan), 4:42, PP
Fitchburg: Patrick Dolan (Chris Brecken), 18:25, PP
Fitchburg: Andrew Hutton (John Soroka, Justin Quinn), 18:59, PP
Third Period Scoring:
Westfield: Brad Norkum (Mike Muolo), 15:18
Fitchburg: Chris Riggs (Bryan Canter), 15:37
Westfield: Casey Mignone (Mike Muolo, Jimmy Alexander), 16:09.
Goalie Saves:
Westfield: Ray Monroe 38 saves; Shay McGlynn 1 save
Fitchburg: Bobby Leiser 36 saves