Owls' Comeback Falls Short In 7-5 Loss

Westfield, MA --- It was the back end of a home and home series between the Westfield State Owls and the Sacred Heart Pioneers on Saturday night.  Sacred Heart scored with the man advantage 2:54 into the game to get the Pioneers on the board first. Senior, Aniel Russo would tie the game up midway through the first period as he weaved in front of the net and buried a shot past Tom Delucia. CJ Kenny and Joe Santaniello would pick up the helpers on the goal. Sacred Heart would regain their lead a minute later and would take a 2-1 lead into the dressing room. 

It was all Sacred Heart in the second period, as they would score three goals in the period to have a 5-1 lead after 40 minutes of play. Schyler Reilly would get a hat trick in the third and the Owls had life with under six minutes remaining trailing 6-4. Penalties came at a bad time, and Sacred Heart would make it a three goal lead with the two man advantage with under three minutes left in the game. As time was expiring, Zach Smith would score a power play goal with 20 seconds remaining as the Owls fell to the reigning NECHA champions by the score of 7-5. 

The team will take some time off to enjoy the Thanksgiving break. They will be back in action on December 6th as they travel to Fall River to face Roger Williams University. It will be their last game in the fall semester as the Owls look to head into winter break on a winning note. 

GAME SHEET: 11/22/14 VS. SACRED HEART

Goals: A. Russo (4), Reilly (12,13,14), Smith (4)

Goalie: Thornton (3-3-0-1)

Power Play: 2 for 9 (14.1%)

Penalty Kill: 6 for 9 (85.6%)

Owls Storm Back, Beat Sacred Heart 7-4

Bridgeport, CT --- It was a complete team effort late Sunday night as the Westfield State Owls beat reigning NECHA champion Sacred Heart 7-4 at the Wonderland of Ice. Things didn't look so great to start, as the Pioneers would score two goals in the first two minutes of the game to grab the early lead. Corey Jenks would cut the lead in half when his shot went five hole with the man advantage midway through the first period. A bad bounce, found the Owls down 3-1 after the first. 

The Owls came out flying in the second period as their power play went 5 for 8 on the night. They would end up tied during the second intermission with goals from Schyler Reilly, Mark Eagles and Aniel Russo. 

The Owls were disciplined for most of the night, although the teams did combine for 98 PIMs. That lead to power play opportunities, as the Owls would score three goals in three minutes to take control of the game. Nick Franco played huge in the final 50 minutes for his third victory of the season. The two teams will meet again on Saturday at Amelia Park at 5pm. 

SCORE SHEET: 11/16/14 @ SACRED HEART UNIV.

Goals: Jenks (2), Reilly (11) , Eagles (1), A. Russo (3), Galvin (4), Reopel (3), Pierce (8)
Goalie: Franco (3-3-0)
Power Play: 5 for 8
Penalty Kill: 5 for 6

Owls Defeat Anchormen In Dramatic Shoot-out

Pawtucket, RI --- It was a feisty Friday night as Westfield State and Rhode Island College played their second game in less than a week. The two teams would combine for 29 penalties as the two sides traded special teams opportunities. Westfield continued to get off to a slow start as RIC scored 49 seconds into the game. RIC would take a 2-0 lead when a Neil Sklubinski shot found the back of the net on a screen. 

The Owls came out a different team in the second period scoring three times. John Galvin scored short-handed as he came into the zone on the left wing side and fired a shot high past Vinny Tudino. Colin Pierce would pick up the lone assist on the goal. Defenseman Cole Connolly would score his first collegiate goal when his slapper from the point went five hole and found the back of the net. Connor Sweeney would give the Owls their first lead of the night when he broke in all alone with 5:26 remaining in the period. The Owls continued to play strong defense in the third but a bad bounce on a dump in from center tied the game with under three minutes left in regulation to send it to extra hockey. 

Both teams agreed to a shoot-out in the event that the game was still tied after the five minutes. Each team had to kill a 4 on 3 penalty and sent it to a best-of-three shoot-out. Corey Jenks, Schyler Reilly, Joe Santaniello, David Russo, CJ Kenny were all denied. Chase Thornton was spectacular on the other side matching each save. In the sixth round, Freshman Luke Foley, was able to put the puck in the back of the net for a 1-0 shoot-out lead. With the flash of the glove, Thornton made a huge save and gave the Owls the extra point. 

NECHA does not recognize shoot-outs so it will go as a tie and each team will get a point in the league standings. However, it will count as a shoot-out victory in the ACHA. The Owls head down to Bridgeport, CT on Sunday night in a huge match-up against back-to-back NECHA champion Sacred Heart Pioneers at 8:45 pm. If you can't make the trip, please follow the team's twitter for updates. 

Goals: Galvin (3), Connolly (1), Sweeney (3)

Goalie Thornton (3-2-0-1)

Power Play:

Penalty Kill 

Veteran's Day Game A Success Despite Score

Westfield, MA ---  For the second straight year, the Westfield State University club hockey team held a charity game on Veteran's Day. This year, the proceeds were to be split between the Fontenot Family Memorial Fund and the Barnes Airmen Fund. The Owls wore a special camo jersey for the occasion. After the anthem, Col. James J. Keefe of Barnes accepted a "Fontenot 104" jersey on behalf of the family. The Colonel, who is a Norwich University alum, also dropped the ceremonial puck drop. 

Norwich would get off to a fast start as Mike Grandrimo scored 1:10 into the game. Both teams were limited to scoring chances in the first period as the two teams felt each other out. In the second, Norwich would increase their lead to 3-0 on goals by Steve Kay and John Keaney. After scrambling lines, the Owls finally broke the shutout bid with 6:38 remaining in the game. Colin Pierce would score his 7th goal of the season when he tipped a Mark Eagles wrist shot from the point. Norwich would go on to add an empty net goal to seal the 4-1 victory. 

After the game, the two teams met at center ice for a team picture. The two teams also met in one of the party rooms for pizza and desserts.  It was a very successful event that raised over $1,000 for the two funds. The club team and Barnes have both expressed interest in continuing this event in the future. 

The team would like to thank TGI Fridays, Cinema De Lux, The Springfield Falcons & Tom Convery for donating raffles prizes. The team would also like to thank Jed "Chowda" Conaboy,  Carole Appleton, Mrs. Franco, Mr. Foley, Ms Lachance and the whole Westfield State University athletic department in helping make this event possible. It was a total team effort. 

Westfield will practice Thursday night for Friday's game at Rhode Island College. Puck drop is scheduled for 8:10 pm. For game updates, please follow the team's twitter account at @wsuclub 

GAMESHEET: 11/11/2014 VS. NORWICH UNIVERSITY

Goals: Pierce (7)
Goalie: Franco (2-3-0)
Power Play: 0 for 6 (13.2 %)
Penalty Kill: 7 for 7 (84.4 %)

Rally For Moose

Holyoke, MA --- A few members of the Westfield State University club hockey team volunteered for the Rally For Moose cross country race on Sunday afternoon at the Ashley Reservoir.  Players directed traffic, set up the dining room and filled water as the runners crossed the finish line. It was a perfect fall afternoon to be outside as the event raised money for the Fontenot Memorial Fund. Players debut their special Veteran's Day jerseys that they will be wearing on the ice when they host Norwich University on Tuesday at 2:00 pm.  The team is asking fans to be there early on Tuesday, as there will be a special presentation before the game. 

 The team at the starting line 

 Filling up the water 

Defenseman Cole Connolly and Courtney Lentine handing out water

Rhode Island College 5 -- Westfield State 2

Westfield, MA --- The Westfield State University club hockey team came into Saturday's game on a two game winning streak and was looking at playing five games in the next 14 days. The Owls came out strong, as the first period had a lot of back and forth action. The Anchormen would score with under a minute left in the first period with the man advantage to take the early lead.

Schyler Reilly would score his team leading ninth goal of the season 19 seconds into the second period. Reilly skated around the RIC defenseman and out waited goaltender Vinny Tudino and slid the puck into a wide open net. Rhode Island would jump out to a 3-1 lead before John Galvin buried a rebound off an offensive zone face-off and the Owls would once again head into the locker room trailing by a goal. 

Westfield had their chances in the third period but couldn't manage to get the equalizer. Back to back penalties in the middle of the period broke up early momentum. It was a very evenly matched game between the two clubs. Rhode Island would add a goal with 1:04 remaining and an empty net goal with 18 seconds remaining to skate away with the 5-2 victory. 

The Owls are back in action tomorrow, but this time off the ice, as they volunteer for the Rally for Moose road race in Holyoke to benefit the Fontenot Memorial Fund. They return on the ice, Tuesday November 11th, as they host Norwich University. Proceeds from the game will benefit the Fontenot Memorial Fund and the Barnes Airmen fund. The team will be wearing special camo jerseys in honor of the pilot. Please note, that there is a special 2:00 pm start for this event. 

11/08/14 GAME SHEET: RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE

Goals: Reilly (9*) , Galvin (2*)
Goalie: Thornton (2-2-0-1)
Power Play: 0 for 5  (12.5 %)
Penalty Kill: 4 for 5 (83.9 %)

Ranking #1

The ACHA Division II released their first ranking this week. Westfield State did not make the list but two opponents, #5 Central Connecticut (L 2-1 OT) and Roger Williams (haven't played yet), received votes. 

OWLS TO HOST FUNDRAISING EVENT

Westfield, MA --- The Westfield State University club hockey team will be hosting a fundraising event on Tuesday, November 11th at Amelia Park Arena in downtown Westfield. They will be hosting Norwich University in their second annual Veteran's Day game. Puck drop is scheduled for 2:00 pm. All proceeds from ticket sales and raffles will be split and donated to the Fontenot Memorial Fund and the Barnes Airmen Fund. The team is scheduled to wear special jerseys for this event.

The Fontenot Memorial Fund is hosting a Rally For Moose on November 9th. The cross country style race will be at the Ashley Reservoir and will begin at 1:31 pm. To sign up, please visit their website www.rallyformoose.org 

"Lt Col Morris “Moose” Fontenot, of Longmeadow MA and the 104FW at Barnes ANG Base, Westfield MA was tragically killed in an F-15C crash in Deerfield VA on 27 Aug 2014. Moose was true patriot, serving over 18 years in the United States Air Force as an F-15C Weapons Officer and Commander. Moose dedicated himself to helping his fellow airmen succeed in life and in their careers, giving everything and anything he could. This Memorial Fund and Race have been established to preserve Moose’s spirit, raise funds to help his family in this difficult time and to gather around the Fontenot family to show our love and support. Our goal is to raise money for education, housing and other expenses for Moose’s wife, Kara, and daughters, Natalie and Nicole."

Westfield Holds On For Sweep Of Holy Cross

Westfield, MA -- It was the second meeting in less than a week, as the Westfield State University club hockey team hosted Holy Cross for the back end of a home and home, Saturday night. The first period was quick, as the teams traded scoring opportunities. With 5:29 remaining, Corey Jenks hustled down the left wing boards and centered a feed that was directed in by Schyler Reilly to give the Owls a 1-0 lead heading into the second period. 

Holy Cross would capitalize on an Owls miscue and would tie the game 36 seconds into the period. Zach Smith regained the lead two minutes later, as he battled for the puck and flew through the air after he shot it. Skating four aside, Josh Brown's strong fore checking, forced a turn over right in front of the Crusaders net. Brown was able to get it past Garrett Beaulieu for his first collegiate goal. 

Joe Almeida would score his first goal of the season when his shot, right off the face off, put the Owls up 4-1 with 16:23 left in the game. Penalties once again hurt the Owls in the third, as Holy Cross would score twice on a double minor penalty to make the game 4-3. With 7:33 left, Colin Piece would give Westfield a little bit of insurance, after shooting the puck in from left wing side. Westfield would take three more penalties in the last seven minutes of regulation. With 2:48 left in the game, Holy Cross would once again score a power play goal to cut the Owls lead to one. With 26 seconds left, Holy Cross would pull their goalie for six on four advantage but Westfield held on to escape with the 5-4 victory. 

Westfield returns to conference play next Saturday when they host Rhode Island College. It will mark the midway point of the season. Just a reminder that the Owls will be hosting a fundraising event on Veteran's Day when they host Norwich University. It has a special 2:00 pm start and all ticket sales will go to the Fontenot Memorial Fund & the Barnes Airmen Fund. 

GAME SHEET: 11/1/14 VS. HOLY CROSS

Goals: Reilly, Smith, Brown (1), Almeida (1), Pierce

Goalie: Franco (2-2-0)

Power Play: 0 for 2

Penalty Kill: 3 for 6

Westfield 5 - Holy Cross 2

GAME SHEET: 10/28/14 @ HOLY CROSS

Goals: Reilly , A. Russo, Galvin, Pierce 

Goalie: Thornton (2-1-1)

Power Play: 2 for 5

Penalty Kill: 9 for 10