Tonight's Game Postponed

Westfield, MA --- Tonight's game between the Westfield State Owls and Sacred Heart Pioneers in Shelton, CT has been postponed due to the threat of Hurricane Sandy. On Sunday, Westfield State University cancelled all activities on campus until Wednesday.

 

The Owls hope that everyone stays safe and that hopefully our fans will not lose power for a lengthy period of time!

Owls Continue Division Play Against Sacred Heart Tomorrow Night

 

Westfield, MA --- The Westfield State Owls travel down to Shelton, CT tomorrow night to face Sacred Heart University in an important division game. The Owls look to build on last week's 3-2 win over Roger Williams and climb into second place in NECHA's Southwest Division. Depending on service inside the arena, there will be live updates via the club's twitter. You can get live updates by looking at the feed on the right hand side of our team's website or by following the club on twitter at @wsuclub.

 

A reminder to all players, the bus will be leaving the rink at 4:30 PM but please arrive at 4:00.

Westfield Earns First Win Against Roger Williams

Westfield, MA --- The Westfield State Owls recorded their first victory of the young 2012-13 season on Saturday night with a 3-2 win over Roger Williams University. The Owls got off to a slow start and Roger Williams capitalized by taking a 1-0 lead only 35 seconds into the game. Nick Franco made several nice saves to keep it a one goal game going into the second period. Franco stopped 21 out of 23 shots against.

One thing to note about this Owls team is that they are very resilient. Every time the Owls have been down, they've always found a way to get the next goal. That trend continued tonight with two quick strikes to end the second period. With 1:29 remaining in the second period, Ryan Leonard would tie the game at one. Brian Nixon and Schyler Reilly would pick up the assists on the goal. 34 seconds later, sophomore Will MacDonald, would give the Owls a 2-1 lead heading into the final period. It was MacDonald's first goal as an Owl.

Rookie, Schlyer Reilly would give the Owls an insurance goal on the power play just four minutes into the third period. Ryan Leonard's pass found Reilly in the high slot who ripped home his first goal of the season. Roger Williams would score a power play goal of their own with six minutes remaining but the Owls would hold on to improve their record to 1-1-0-1 in conference play.

Westfield's next game is Sunday, October 28th at 8 PM when they travel to Shelton, CT to play the Sacred Heart Pioneers (NECHA 2-1). If you cannot make it to the game, you can get game updates by checking the twitter feed on our homepage or by following us at @wsuclub. We are hoping to have more frequent updates during our game depending on service inside the rink.

Goals: Leonard (1) , MacDonald (1), Reilly (1)
Saves: Franco (21)
Power Play: 2 for 8 (25%)
Penalty Kill: 5 for 6 (83%)

Owls Gain Point in OT Loss

Worcester, MA --- The Westfield State Owls suffered their second straight heart breaking loss of the season with a 4-3 OT loss to Holy Cross on Friday night. The Crusaders got on the board first when Eric Sherman finished a two on one break as the puck slid into the net after a few bodies went sliding towards Owls netminder Ryan DiMare. DiMare would end up saving 38 out of 42 of the shots he faced. The Owls would tie the game when David Russo found a loose puck in a scramble for his first goal of the season. However, the lead wouldn't last long and Holy Cross would take a 2-1 lead with three minutes remaining in the first period. With a large cheering section for him, Colin Pierce would tie the game at two with 2:15 left in the period.

Nick Rose would give the Owls their first lead of the season at the 14:55 mark of the second period. Greg Rice and Colin Arnold would pick up assists on the goal.

Unfortunately the Owls could not hold on to the lead and the two teams would each pick up a point as they headed to overtime. With 18 seconds remaining in regulation, Sean Parsons would deliver a hit in the corner that would spark fireworks. On the way to the penalty box, two Crusaders attacked him and there was a big scrum in front of the Owls net. Parsons would pick up a five minute boarding major and a game disqualification. Meanwhile, both Crusaders were given two minutes for hitting after the whistle. Parsons will have to sit out the next game because of the DQ.

Overtime started with three on three hockey and the visibility was bad as the fog rolled in. With a lot of open ice the teams traded scoring chances but Eric Sherman would get the game-winner with 1:08 remaining in overtime. The Owls pick up a point for losing in overtime but are now 0-1-0-1 in division play.

The Owls host Roger Williams University on Saturday at 5 PM. We are hoping for a big crowd on homecoming weekend and we hope to see everyone there. If you cannot make it to the game, you can get game updates by following the team on twitter @wsuclub.

Goals: Russo (1), Rose (1), Pierce (1)
Saves: DiMare (38)
Power Play: 0 for 5 (0%)
Penalty Kill: 5 for 6 (83%)

Owls Lose Heartbreaker in Final Minute

Westfield, MA --- It was a typical Westfield State – Bridgewater State battle Saturday night at Amelia Park. In a high scoring, heavy checking game, the Owls dropped their season opener to the Bears 5-4. Bridgewater State would get on the board first at the 12:13 mark of the first period. After a scrum in the front of the net, Conor Mahoney hand passed the puck to Kyle Anderson who would fire the puck into an empty net. The Owls would tie the game at one when Brian Gareffi’s shot from the point was tipped in front by Anthony Aspromonti.

The Owls would find themselves in trouble midway through the second period when they took three straight penalties. Bridgewater would capitalize on their third chance with a goal by Mason Yates. In a game that the Owls never led, they fought hard to tie it up on the power play with 15 seconds remaining in the second period. David Russo’s pass from behind the net found captain Greg Rice in the slot for the one-timer.

It only took Bridgewater 12 seconds into the third period to once again take a one goal lead. Three minutes later, Kyle Murray would score in his first collegiate game to tie the game 3-3. The teams would trade power play goals midway through the third period. It seemed like the Owls had the momentum and had several chances to take their first lead of the game but it would be Bridgewater State getting the go ahead goal with 48 seconds remaining in the game.

The Owls would like to thank all their fans for coming out for the home opener. It was a great crowd and we hope to see everyone back next Saturday when they host Roger Williams at 5 PM. The Owls travel to Worcester, MA on Friday night to take on division rival Holy Cross. You can get game updates by following the team’s twitter at @wsuclub.

Goals: Aspromonti (1), Rice (1), Murray (1), Green (1)
Saves: Franco (32)
Power Play: 2 for 4 (50%)
Penalty Kill: 3 for 5 (60%)

HOME OPENER TOMORROW AT 5:00 PM

 

Westfield, MA --- The Westfield State University club hockey team will begin their 2012 - 2013 season tomorrow afternoon when they host Bridgewater State at 5:00 PM. This will be a rematch of last year's NECHA American Conference semi-final in which the Owls came from behind to beat the Bears 6-5.

 

If you can't make it to the game tomorrow you can follow the team's twitter for score updates at @wsuclub.