Owls Can't Complete Comeback, Fall 4-3 to Bates

Lewiston, ME --- The Westfield State Owls lost an important game to the Bates College Bears on Saturday night 4-3. After trailing 3-0 early in the third period, newcomer Dan Lawler would put the Owls on the board. However, Bates would regain a three goal lead only two minutes later when Tyler Dewdney beat netminder Phil Ashley. A minute after Bates scored, Corey Tobin scored to make it a 4-2 game and give the Owls hope of making another third period comeback. Bobby Rash would make things interesting as he scored with only 57 seconds remaining in the game. Bobby ended up with a goal and two assists on the night. However, they were not able to score the equalizer and split the season series with Bates College.

Around the Division- On Sunday, Bridgewater State beat Bates 4-1. Sacred Heart beat MIT by the score of 3-2 and also beat Norwich 6-4. Both Bridgewater State and Sacred Heart have clinched playoff spots.

Westfield Beats Bates

Westfield, MA --- On Saturday night, Westfield State University went head to head in the first of a home and home series with Bates College. In what is a crucial game in the standings, the Owls needed to pull out a big win to stay in postseason contention. The Owls started the game flying, playing fast hard competitive hockey. Joey Green netted the first goal of the game with hard work down low from Tommy Bruso and Ryan Mumford. Bates rallied right back quickly to tie the game at 1 by end of first period.In the second period, the Owls came out with much more intensity and got back ahead of the game with a goal from Nick Rose, a beautiful two on one saucer pass from Bobby Rash. Once again Bates battled right back to tie the game at 2-2 when Matt Dooley ripped a low snapshot from the point. A couple bounces from the post which most of the night was goaltenders Joe Doody’s best friend finally backfired as the puck bounced off the post off his pad and into the back of net as WSU skated away in the second period with a 3-2 lead.

WSU goaltender Liam Whalen, standing on his head his first game after returning from injury, propelled the game into an epic close fought third period. Quickly, Bates College got their lucky bounce as a puck bounced around the net and found the stick of forward Charley Stern to tie the game at 3. Penalty after penalty the Owls played most of the game shorthanded which in all likelihood would usually not benefit the Owls’ behalf. However; the penalty kill was strong enough where Bobby Rash broke free from the defensive zone passed the puck up too forward Nick Rose who then gave the puck right back to Rash splitting the defense and finally putting the puck in the back of the net giving the Owls the lead 4-3. The Owls controlled the rest of play with good saves by Liam Whalen and good defense especially from newcomer Dan Lawler.

Next Saturday (29th) the Owls travel to Bates College where revenge is surely on the menu in once again another crucial game for the Owls!

Around the Division: Bridgewater State swept Norwich University this weekend in a home and home series. With the win, Bridgewater State clinches a playoff spot.

-- Article by Forward Bobby Rash

Owls Prepare for Bates on Saturday

Westfield, MA-- On Saturday night the Westfield State Owls host the Bates College Bears in the first game of a home-and-home series. The Owls last game was on December 11th when they beat the Norwich Cadets by the score of 9-5. Bates College is coming off a 6-5 win over Bridgewater State on Friday night. Both teams enter this crucial game with 4 points.