Ice Hockey Drops Opener To Wentworth, 7-5 

Auburn, MA – Behind seven different goal scorers, the Wentworth Institute of Technology men’s ice hockey team downed the host Lancers of Worcester State College in both teams’ season opener by the final tally of, 7-5, Tuesday evening at Horgan Arena. 

Worcester State jumped out to a, 1-0, lead at 7:48 when sophomore Mark Rintel (Queens, NY) scored his first of the year assisted by freshman Justin Brownstein (Wyncote, PA).  Wentworth answered back less than three minutes later when junior Matt Gilman (Groveland, MA) scored a shorthanded goal off a pass from sophomore Andrew Affronti (Nesconset, NY).  The Leopards took the lead with less than three minutes remaining in the first period on a Joey Sides (Sun Valley, ID) score off a feed from Geric Brodt (Anchorage, AK).  The Lancers were able to tie it up late as Rintel scored his second of the game to knot the score at, 2-2, at 18:53 of the first period.  Rintel’s second of the night was assisted by senior captain Nathan Perreault (N. Smithfield, RI) and sophomore Lee Belisle (Chicopee, MA).  Wentworth enjoyed a, 21-11, shots on goal advantage after the first session.

Wentworth took a two goal advantage in the first half of the second period of action.  A power play goal by Matt Koehler (Pembroke, MA) assisted by Martin Winzer (Nuremberg, Germany) and an even strength score by Jeff Olitch (Calgary, Alberta) gave Wentworth a, 4-2, lead.  But the Lancers wouldn’t go away as they netted a pair on the last five minutes of the period to send the game to the third all tied up at, 4-4.  Worcester State cut the deficit to, 4-3, when freshman Bobby Housser (Leominster, MA) rattled home a slap shot off a face-off won by Tom Ford (N. Grafton, MA).  Freshman Mark Elia (Worcester, MA) then tied the game with just 1:12 left on the clock assisted by seniors Matt Auwarter (Malverne, NY) and Mark Bucci (Sellersville, PA).

The Lancers took a, 5-4, lead on an unassisted goal by Bucci at the 7:11 mark of the final period before Wentworth notched three straight goals to take home the win.  The Leopards tied the contest at, 5-5, at 8:15 when Brodt scored his first of the year on Winzer’s second assist of the night.  The game-winner came at 13:31 when freshman Jeff Fedyk (Calgary, Alberta) put home a pass from fellow freshman Phil Cyr (Cheshire, CT).  Dave Lewandowski (Glenmore, PA) closed out the scoring at 18:01 with an assist being credited to Michael O’Brien (Royersford, PA).

Worcester State goaltender Jason Richardson (Perkasie, PA) was busy all night stopping 45 Wentworth shots.  His counterpart Justin Marriott (St. Clair Shores, MI) made 18 saves in getting the victory.

Worcester State will return to action this Friday and Saturday as they compete in the UBS Tournament hosted by Fitchburg State.  Worcester State will play the hosts in the first round.  Wentworth will host WNEC in their home opener on Thursday.

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