Owls Rally Falls Short; Lose 3-2

MANCHESTER, NH --- The Westfield State club hockey team traveled up to New Hampshire on Sunday afternoon to complete the back end of a home and home series. The Owls would once again give up an early goal when St. Anselm's scored on a wrap around only 4 minutes into the game. The Owls would go down 2-0 with 2 minutes left in the period when a Hawk's player snuck in and took a quick snap shot past goaltender Chase Thornton.

The Owls would get on the board midway through the second period when Tommy Bruso poked in a lose puck to get Westfield within a goal. However, a defensive lapse led to a 3 on 1 and the Hawks would regain their 2 goal lead only 2 minutes later. Westfield's second goal of the night came when Joey Green fired a shot from the slot and beat the Hawk's netminder glove side. Westfield struggled on the power play and had several opportunities to tie the game with the clock winding down but could not get the equalizer.

The Owls and St. Anselm's split the season series each winning a game at home. The Owls would like to thank St. Anselm's for the pizzas for the bus ride home. Westfield hits the ice on Tuesday and Thursday nights for practice before heading up to Ashburnham on Saturday to face the Keene State Owls. You can get score updates by following the club hockey team on twitter at: @wsuclub. Hopefully the service will be better so it can be updated more frequently.

Key Stats:

Goals: Bruso (4), Green (1)

Saves: Thornton (27)

Power Play: 0 for 4 (0%)

Penalty Kill: 2 for 2 (100%)

Owls Win First Game of Home and Home

Westfield, MA --- The Westfield State Owls improved their record to 2-0 Saturday night when they defeated St. Anselm's 4-1 at Amelia Park. St. Anselm's would get on the board early when Jack Oulette's slap shot from the point found the back of the net. The Owls would tie the game before going into the locker room when Pete Richardson poked in a loose puck with 1:05 remaining in the first period. Billy Keating would pick up the only assist on the goal.

The second period would be filled with penalties but the Owls would score the game-winning goal on the power play when Tommy Bruso scored his first goal of the night only 2 minutes into the second period. Chase Thornton was placed in net while Nick Franco served his 10 misconduct penalty stopping all 9 shots on net. The teams would trade power play chances but the Owls would take the lead heading into the third period.

The Owls continued to work hard and added an insurance goal midway through the third period when Tommy Bruso would get his third goal of the season when Greg Rice found him all alone in the slot. Matt Spadorcia would seal the deal when he broke in alone with 1:42 remaining to put the Owls up by the score of 4-1. Nick Franco would play a perfect third period stopping all 9 shots and finished the night stopping 16 of 17 shots on goal.

The Owls travel up to Manchester, New Hampshire on Sunday for the back end of a home and home series with St. Anselm's. Directions to Sullivan Arena are on the directions page and you can follow the in game action on twitter @wsuclub.

Key Stats:
Goals: Bruso (2,3) Richardson (1), Spadorcia (1)
Saves: Franco (16), Thornton (9)
Power Play: 1 for 9 (11%)
Penalty Kill: 7 for 7 (100%)

Owl's Power Past Merrimack

Westfield, MA --- The Westfield State Owls opened their 2011-12 season Saturday hosting Merrimack College in their first of 14 league games. The game opened with a quick pace and many hits as the teams traded scoring chances. Merrimack College would score the first goal of the game on a controversial call when Calvin Cegianski batted the puck out of the air past Owl's netminder Chase Thornton. That was the only puck that would get by Thornton who made 25 saves in the game.

The Owls would tie the game when Nico Gilbert found the back of the net only 2 minutes later. Brian Nixon and Greg Rice would pick up assists on the power play goal. The Owls went back on the power play and took the lead when Tommy Bruso streaked down the middle of the ice and rocketed a shot to beat the Warrior's goalie glove side. That would be all the scoring as the teams skated the last 45 minutes scoreless and the Owls skated off the ice with their first victory in the young 2011-12 season.

Key Stats:
Goals: Gilbert (1), Bruso (1)
Saves: Thornton (25)
Power Play: 2 for 12 (17%)
Penalty Kill: 5 for 5 (100%)

Westfield Releases 2011-12 Schedule

Westfield, MA --- The Westfield State University club hockey team released their 2011-12 schedule today. The schedule starts on October 15th as the Owls host Merrimack College at Amelia Park. Merrimack College, St. Anselm's and Harvard will be joining the NECHA's American Conference. The Owls will be playing 14 conference games and will also play Keene State, WPI and Eastern Connecticut State. The Owls will finish the season with three straight road games and will conclude the season on February 10th at Merrimack College. Some times and locations are still to be announced.

TEAM (H/A)

Bates (1/1)

Bridgewater (1/1)

Eastern Connecticut (1/1)

Harvard (1/1)

Keene State (0/1)

MIT (1/1)

Merrimack (1/1)

Sacred Heart (1/1)

St. Anselm's (1/1)

WPI (0/1)

Tryouts Continue Tonight

Westfield, MA -- With over 30 skaters trying out for the 2011-12 club team, the team has extended it's tryouts. Practice will be at 10 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday at Amelia Park.