Owls Struggle in Second Period, Lose 4-2

Westfield, MA --- Westfield State hosted the M.I.T. Engineers Saturday night at Amelia Park to start a stretch of 7 straight conference games to conclude the 2010-2011 regular season. The Owls got on the board late in the first period to take a 1-0 lead when Bobby Rash found Brett Salamon in the slot. The Engineers scored 3 goals in the second period to build a 3-1 lead going into the last 20 minutes of play. Paul McCarthy stopped 22 of the 25 shots in the middle frame and would finish the night with 43 saves.

In the third, the Owls would score a controversial goal when M.I.T's netminder was off the ice for a delayed penalty. M.I.T had control of the puck when the penalty was committed and play continued. However, the Owls stole the puck away and fired it into the empty net. The referees gathered to discuss the situation and the goal was disallowed. The ref admitted he made a mistake and that the whistle should have been blown while M.I.T. had control of the puck. 3 minutes later, Westfield would make it a 1 goal game when Corey Tobin fed the puck to Tommy Bruso on the far post who put the puck in the net. However, 29 seconds later M.I.T. would score to win the game 4-2.

The Owls travel up to Vermont next Saturday to take on Norwich University. Westfield defeated the Cadets 12-2 when the two teams met in Westfield. Norwich played Sacred Heart tonight and the result is unknown at this time. On Sunday, MIT hosted Bates College and skated to a 3-3 tie.

FINAL SCORE: M.I.T. 4 - Westfield State 2

Westfield Goals: Brett Salamon (4), Tommy Bruso (4)
Power Play: 0 for 3 (0%)
Penalty Kill: 5 for 6 (83%)