Worcester, MA- The Worcester State Lancers (6-17, 5-14 MASCAC) faced off against the Salem State Vikings (6-16-1, 6-12-1 MASCAC) on the road in a critical conference matchup, the Lancers needing to win their last two games for a shot at the playoffs.
The season series is currently split at 1-1. The Lancers convincingly defeated Salem on the road 5-2 in late November. The Vikings retaliated with a win of their own at the Worcester Ice Center 4-0 a month ago.
FINAL: LANCERS 5 | SALEM ST. 2
HOW IT HAPPENED?:
It took the Lancers under five minutes into the first period to take a 1-0 lead in this high-stakes matchup. After a fantastic save from junior goalkeeper Jakub Kubik (Uherske Hradiste, Czech Republic), a faceoff ensued with sophomore forward Anders Grongstad (Royal Oak, Michigan) winning the puck in the Lancer defensive zone, it then dribbled into the stick of first-year defenseman Michael Schaaf (Nashua, NH) who skated behind the net and dumping the puck to junior forward Brigham Neuhold (Edmond, Oklah.) as he whipped a pass off the right boards that found the distance to connect with Senior forwarded Mikey Wilson (Alexandria, VA.) on the left side of the ice streaking with no defenders in front of him, slamming a shot home in front of the goalie top right for the score.
Nearly a minute later, Vikings Carson James drew a whistle for interference. The Lancers, now on a player play, capitalized on the man advantage with sophomore forward Shane Prifrel (Inner Grove Heights, Minn.) sniping a wrist shot into the top right of the net over the goalie's shoulder as he was gliding down the top of the slot. Mikey Wilson made the comfortable setup pass for the 2-0 lead, his second point of the night.
Three minutes later, the Vikings cut the deficit to one. Salem's Zach Dill snuck a shot past Kubik for the goal. Keegan O'donoghue and Erik Larsson were credited with assists with the score now 2-1.
Fresh out of the intermission, the Vikings tied the game 2-2, Zach Dill netting his second goal of the night. The same line that did it previously got the job done again. This time Erik Larrson is credited with the main assist, and O'donogue with the secondary.
Thirty-nine seconds passed before Worcester retook the lead. Wilson worked a puck out from the boards behind the net that found Nuehold perfectly for the setup as he dished a pass in front of the goalie to junior defenseman Christian Phinney (Draper, Utah) who swiftly beat the Vikings netminder and regained momentum for his team, the score 3-2. Wilson's third point of the night.
Eight minutes remained in the second, Grongstad with the puck zoomed into the Lancer offensive zone dumping the puck to Nuehold on his right, who fired a laser pass to a streaking Mikey Wilson down the left dot where Wilson finished for a goal and a 4-2 lead. Wilson racking up his fourth point of the game.
On a fresh sheet of ice, one minute into the third period, tonight's deadly duo struck again with Nuehold once finding Wilson on a beautiful pass past a Vikings defender lifting the Lancers to a commanding 5-2 lead in this pivotal game. Wilson decked the Salem netminder, tucking one past him for his insane fifth point of the night.
A whopping eight penalties were called with three game misconducts near the end of this one as both teams showed their emotion in a high-pressure situation. Two Viking players were sent away with game misconduct, one Lancer.
UPDATED RECORDS:
With the win, the Lancers improve to (7-17, 6-14 MASCAC) while Salem St. falls to (6-17-1) 6-13-1 MASCAC).
WHAT'S NEXT?:
The Lancers next game will be at the Worcester Ice Center for the team's final regular season game and Senior Night against the MCLA Trailblazers on Saturday, February 17th. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:10 PM. Come support your Lancers as they eye for a playoff spot.