Box Score Scoring Summary

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Westfield State men's hockey team took advantage of four power play goals in posting a 5-4 victory over Western New England College in the Falcons' Cup Game Sunday afternoon (Dec. 5) at the MassMutual Center.

Freshman forward Taylor Murphy (Toronto, ON) scored two goals on power plays shots and had an assist as the Owls snapped a four-game skid in raising their record to 2-6-1. Westfield also won the Cup for the third straight year and avenged a 6-5 overtime loss to the Golden Bears in the season opener back on November 7.

Senior center Dennis Zak (Dover, NJ) and senior defenseman Dylan Scanlon (Longmeadow, MA) each added a goal and assist. Sophomore forwards Jason Nelson (Raleigh, NC) and Brad Norkum (Porcupine, ON) both contributed two assists for the Owls.

Western New England College took a 1-0 lead when freshman forward Chris Connors (Albany, NY) netted a power play goal at 16:25 of the opening period. Westfield State scored twice in the final 1:57 of the period on goals by Murphy at the 18:03 mark and Zak at 19:13.

Murphy gave the Owls a 3-1 advantage with his second goal just 1:02 into the second period before the Golden Bears quickly cut the lead in half on a goal by freshman forward Dan Monahan (Monroe, NJ) at 3:21. Scanlon then fired in a shot at 16:24 to give Westfield a 4-2 lead after 40 minutes.

Westfield State appeared to put the game out of reach when junior forward A.J. Shiverdecker (Kettering, ON) scored what proved to be the game-winner on another power play opportunity at 8:22 of the third period.

WNEC again came back on goals by junior forwards Mike Kaselouskas (East Longmeadow, MA) at 9:54 and Kory Grahl (San Diego, CA) at 12:28, but couldn't get the equalizer down the stretch. Connors had assists on both goals as he and Grahl (who also had two assists) each finished with three points.

Western New England College had a 38-28 advantage in shots, but junior goalie Ian Wilson (Tulsa, OK) compiled 34 saves for the Owls in gaining his first win of the season. Freshman Eric Sorenson (Rochester, NY) turned away 23 shots for the Golden Bears.

Western New England College falls to 3-5-1 after dropping its fifth straight contest.