Ice Hockey Falls to Westfield State
Westfield, Mass. - Sophomore forward Pat Nelson (Cary, NC) tallied three goals and an assist and freshman forward Lucas Romero (Roho Sta Marg, CA) scored two goals to lead Westfield State to a 6-1 victory over Framingham State in conference ice hockey action on Thursday, Jan. 14.
The Owls, 8-4-2 overall, remain in sole possession of first place in the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) with a 6-0-2 record.
Westfield snapped a scoreless tie with 4:48 remaining in the first period when freshman Danny Kaufman (Scotch Plains, NJ), tipped in Nelson's wicked shot from the point.
Nelson scored his first goal just over two minutes later, and junior forward Dennis Zak (Dover, NJ) had his first of three assists on the power play goal. Prior to the goal, Westfield had been held scoreless in its last 27 power plays.
Nelson scored his second goal 6:02 into the second stanza and the Owls led 4-0 after two periods following a power play goal by Romero.
Romero tacked on a short handed goal in the third period and Nelson registered his hat trick with 4:50 remaining in the game.
Westfield junior goalie Ray Monroe (Shrewsbury) was solid between the pipes with 35 saves. Framingham's only goal - scored by Jeremy Schmitt (Huffman, TX) - came when Monroe left the net unattended while attempting to pass the puck to teammate.
The Rams return to action on Saturday as they travel to MASCAC foe Fitchburg State for a 5 p.m. game.