WESTFIELD, Mass. (November 2, 2024) – WNE returned to the ice for the Western Massachusetts Invitational Championship game against Westfield State University. The Owls tacked on two goals early in the first period. After a scoreless second period, the Golden Bears would grab two goals quickly in the beginning of the third. However, the Owls would quickly answer with a goal and win the game 3-2.

Records:

Western New England: 1-1-0 (0-0-0)

Westfield State University: 2-0-0 (0-0-0)

How it Happened:

The opening period of play in the Western Massachusetts Invitational championship game did not go WNE's way. Anthony Aureliano and Aiden Winslow got the starts in net for the Golden Bears and Owls, respectively. Both goalies were tested quickly with both having to make a save within the first minute and a half of play. Then, Jesper Seeberg found Emile Pichette skating up the ice with a 2-on-1 opportunity looming. Pichette sent the puck across the ice to Christopher Miraldo, who lifted the puck into the back of the net. Westfield State led 1:42 into the game, 1-0. After another shot from each team, WSU would find themselves with a chance to make the game 2-0. Dominik Balboni would have a shot on the right side of the ice. Aureliano shut it down and made the save. However, the rebound fell to Emile Tremblay in front of the net. Tremblay eventually got a shot on goal, and it would hit the netting to give WSU a quick 2-0 lead 3:35 into the game. WSU would continue to send shots at goal, trying to extend the already two-goal lead. However, the Golden Bears would start to settle down. WSU was called for a penalty 7:17 into the game and it slowed down the WSU attack for two minutes. WNE had one shot on the powerplay. However, they would have a second powerplay chance just after the first expired and had four shots, with two on goal. WNE started to find the rhythm of the game, and it continued for the rest of the first period of play. Shortly after the WNE powerplay was completed, Miraldo would threaten a third goal for WSU with a shot that glanced off the pipe. WNE was called for a penalty, which led to four WSU shots, but after that, the teams played the puck back and forth with a couple of shots to end the first period of play. After a quick start, the Owls were held to that 2-0 lead for the rest of the opening period of play. The first-period stats saw WSU leading in shots 16-13, shots on goal 8-7, blocked shots 3-2, saves 7-6, and penalties 2-1. WNE had more faceoff wins, 12-7.

The second period saw an early WNE penalty add momentum for the Owls. They had two shots, but neither tested Aureliano in net. The second period of play was very back-and-forth. WNE earned a powerplay after a few minutes and had three shots that were all saved by Winslow in net. That power play was ended by matching penalties for the teams. They played 4-on-3 hockey for a little while. WNE had a shot saved by Winslow. WNE excelled during the 4-on-4 hockey. They had three shots. However, Winslow made each save. The puck was played back and forth for most of the second period, with both teams having moments where they had three or four shots in a row. WNE earned two powerplays late in the second, which garnered momentum for the Golden Bears. They had five shots in a row in the first powerplay, with Justin Sullivan having the best chance, but the puck ricocheted off the pipe. The second powerplay saw three shots. However, at the end of the second, WNE was called for two penalties. That would end the second and after two periods of play, the score was still 2-0 WSU. WNE had 23 total shots compared to 14 for WSU. WNE also led in shots on goal 12-5. WNE had more blocked shots, 4-1. WSU had more saves, 12-5, and faceoff wins 15-8. Both teams had four penalties in the second.

The final period of play saw WNE make a comeback. WNE started early with a shot saved by Winslow. Then, a WNE penalty stopped the WNE momentum momentarily. However, just as it ended, the puck was sent into the WNE attacking zone. The puck was misplayed, and it sat right in front of the goal, where Matty Zdanowicz poked it into the net to get the Golden Bears on the board 3:55 into the final period of play. Five seconds later, WNE had another power play. This one saw shots back and forth from both teams. Then, 5:51 into the third, Jake Mendeszoon found Everest Schneider, who sent a shot at the goal, which Billy VanSumeren deflected into the back of the net. The game was tied 2-2. WSU ruined the comeback, though, with a goal less than a minute later. Emile Pichette had a shot saved by Aureliano, but the puck found Christopher Miraldo by the blue line, who sent a shot at goal. Jesper Seeberg would deflect the puck past the WNE goalie to give WSU the 3-2 lead 6:44 into the third. The teams would trade opportunities for the rest of the game. WNE had three shots in a row saved by Winslow in the middle of the third. WSU had a powerplay chance with 7:40 remaining in the game. However, WNE would have two shorthanded shots saved by Winslow. The teams went back and forth again after the powerplay ended, but WNE could not find the game-tying goal. They pulled their goalie with less than a minute to give them an extra skater. It resulted in two shots on goal. Winslow saved both and gave WSU the Western Massachusetts Invitational championship win. The final stats saw WNE leading in shots on goal 34-30. WSU led in total shots 55-53. WNE had more blocked shots, 10-5. WSU finished the game with more penalties 6-5, saves 32-27, and faceoff wins 39-32.

Coach's Corner:

Head coach Mike Young was asked what Young thought went right and what went wrong for Young's team on Saturday. "(WNE) Started a little slow in the first period so we didn't have a full 60 (minutes), but we never quit and fought until the end. Looking forward to going forward with the effort in this group," Young stated.

Inside the Crease:

• The Golden Bears traveled to Westfield, Massachusetts, for the Western Massachusetts Invitational Championship game against Westfield State University.
• 1st 1:42 – Christopher Miraldo netted the game's first goal off assists from Emile Pichette and Jesper Seeberg. The Owls led 1-0.
• 1st 3:35 – Emile Tremblay doubled the Owls' lead off assists from Daniel Finegan and Dominick Balboni. The Owls led 2-0.
• 3rd 3:55 – Matty Zdanowicz cut the deficit to one with a goal assisted by Brayden Patricia. The Owls led 2-1.
• 3rd 5:51 – Billy VanSumeran scored a first Golden Bear goal on the powerplay. Jake Mendeszoon had the assist. The game was tied 2-2.
• 3rd 6:44 - Jesper Seeberg gave the Owls the lead back. Christopher Miraldo and Emile Pichette had the assists. The Owls led 3-2.
• Anthony Aureliano made 27 saves.
• Aiden Winslow made 32 saves and earned the Owls the Western Massachusetts Invitational championship.
• The Owls beat the Golden Bears 3-2.

Up Next on the Schedule:

WNE will host the University of New England on Friday, November 8, 2024, at 8:00 PM in their first CNE game of the season.

The Owls will travel to Keene State College for their next game on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 7:30 PM.