Westfield, MA --- This was the game that was circled on the calendar after losing last year's championship game when the schedule came out during the summer. Even though it won't make up for the loss in February, Westfield played their best game of the young season by defeating Sacred Heart University 6-2. The win for Owls improved their conference record back to .500 (2-2-0) and was the Pioneers first conference loss of the season (3-1-0). The game didn't start out too well for the Owls, as Jared Aiken found Gabuzda in the slot only 31 seconds into the game to give Sacred Heart a 1-0 lead. The team settled down and went into the first intermission only trailing by a goal.
Connor Sweeney would put the Owls on the board when he pinched in at the point and fired a shot past Marc Glaviano. Westfield would take the lead on a Scott Shannon power play goal two minutes later on a scramble in the crease. Midway through the second, Sean McVey would win the faceoff to himself and skate in front to beat Owl's netminder Ryan DiMare. DiMare played strong in net stopping 31 out of 33 of the shots he faced. In the closing minutes of the second period, Joey Green would score the eventual game-winning goal. Schyler Reilly would chase down a loose puck in the corner and found Green in front who put it in the back of the net.
Scott Shannon would give the Owls some insurance when he rushed down the left wing side and toe dragged around a defenseman for his second goal of the night. With the goalie pulled, Joe Connors would score his second empty net goal of the season to make it 5-2 with under two minutes remaining in the game. Schyler Reilly would finish the scoring on a short-handed breakaway goal and the Owls would get a much needed two points in the conference standings.
Westfield will be back in action on Saturday when they host University of New Haven at 5:00 pm. This will be the second and final meeting of the season between the two teams. The teams last played last weekend with Westfield defeating the Chargers 5-3.
Goals: Sweeney (2), Shannon (3,4), Green (2), Connors (2), Reilly (3)
Saves: DiMare (31 saves, 2-1-0)
Power Play: 1 for 6 (20%)
Penatly Kill: 3 for 3 (88%)
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