Western New England scores three goals in second period to take control

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (December 6, 2018) – The Western New England University ice hockey team registered a 5-3 victory over Worcester State University on Thursday night in non-conference action at the Olympia Ice Center.

Top Performers
Seniors Steve Beck (Milton, N.Y.) and David Kleyman (Brooklyn, N.Y.) both turned in three-point efforts to lead the Golden Bears offensively. Beck scored his first two goals of the season and added an assist, while Kleyman recorded a goal and two helpers.

Junior Andrew Green (Plainview, N.Y.) and freshman Connor Geshan (Oakton, Va.) were also key contributors with two points apiece.  

Making his third appearance of the season in net, junior Kyle Carducci (Rocky Hill, Conn.) stopped 32 of the 35 shots that he faced.

Worcester State received goals from senior Mike Moran (Milford, Mass.), junior Nick Patullo (Doylestown, Pa.) and sophomore Kyle Hayter (Helena, Mont.).

Game Review
Moran staked the Lancers to a 1-0 lead just over three minutes into the contest when he pounced on a loose puck in front of the net and stuffed a shot past Carducci.

The Golden Bears capitalized on a power play opportunity to tie the game with five minutes left in the opening frame. Kleyman won a faceoff in Western New England's offensive zone and sent the puck back to Eckenrod, who fired a shot from the point that was deflected by Beck into the net.

A minute and a half later, Kleyman set up Beck for the go-ahead goal as the Golden Bears led 2-1 at the first intermission.

Hayter equalized for the Lancers 3:45 into the second period, but junior Corey Kennedy (Clemmons, N.C.) put Western New England back ahead for good less than a minute later with his third goal of the season.

At the 9:04 mark, Kleyman scored to make it 4-2, and Green found the back of the net 18 seconds later to give the Golden Bears a three-score cushion.

Western New England maintained its 5-2 advantage until Worcester State got a goal back on a shot from the point in the closing seconds of the contest.

Notes
• Western New England's five goals are its most this season.
• Worcester State outshot the Golden Bears 35-27 and held a 37-26 advantage in the faceoff circle.

Up Next
Western New England (2-10) will be right back in action tomorrow night, as the Golden Bears host Southern New Hampshire in their first semester finale at 7 p.m. Worcester State (5-5) returns home to take on Stonehill next Tuesday.