KSC Men’s Ice Hockey added another win to its record in a back-and-forth nailbiter on Senior Night against the Lancers of Worcester State on Saturday, Feb. 15.
Prior to the game, seniors Conor Perrier, Will Slohm, and Corey Tumenas were honored for their time at Keene State. The game opened up with decent efforts on both teams, each recording a shot on goal within the first five minutes.
With 5:34 remaining in the first period, Worcester State created a great chance with Matthew Nuzzolio racing down the ice. Following a save from Slohm, Nuzzolio collected the rebound and sent a shot into the Owls’ goal putting the Lancers up 1-0. With three minutes left in the first, a small scuffle ensued, sending players from each team to the penalty box.
Keene State took advantage of their power play with multiple shots on goal. With one minute to play in the first period, Keene State found its equalizer with a rocket shot from junior Declan House to end the period 1-1.
Just three minutes into the second period, Cam Quigley caught the Owls off guard with a laser into the top left corner of the goal putting the Lancers back ahead. Although Keene State continued to dominate the game with shots, the Owls could not get the puck in the net. A slashing penalty on forward Brigham Neuhold gave KSC some hope as they went on the power play which amounted to nothing.
After 23 shots on goal, Keene State believed they had scored after a close call. After celebrations commenced, the referees ruled no goal. This left the game still at 2-1 in favor of Worcester State.
Finally, with 14 minutes played in the second, the puck bounced around in front of the Lancers’ goal as first-year Luke Festa found junior Payton Jones who slotted the puck home to level the game.
This tie did not last for long as the Lancers found a goal themselves following a put-back. The Owls went back on a power play right at the end of the period. This resulted in a goal scored by first-year Mike Collett. The Owls continued to keep the game close with their second goal off a power play of the game, ending the period 3-3.
The third period started up hot. Owl first-year Sean McBride went into the penalty box for roughing just a minute into the final period. Slohm made himself big on the power play with two massive saves. Following the power play, Worcester State junior Martin Dlugolinsky scored a stunning goal after receiving the puck off the boards.
Down a man, with 10 minutes remaining, first-year Michael Boschetto played a perfect pass to find Luke Festa. Festa sent the puck into the bottom left corner of the net, leveling the match again.
With just under six minutes to play, Keene State first-year Peter Unger picked up a loose puck and sent it into the back of the net to put the Owls ahead for the first time of the night. KSC found another goal to put them ahead by two. This goal came from a shot from the far blue line on an empty net by Tumenas.
The game finished with a final score of 6-4. KSC improves to 11-10-1 on the season. KSC Men’s Hockey has two games remaining in their inaugural season, their next one being on Friday, Feb. 21.
Carson Flake can be contacted at
cflake@kscequinox.com
