WESTFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 5) – Westfield State University rallied from a 4-1 third-period deficit to tie Nichols College, 4-4, in a thrilling men's ice hockey season opener Friday evening.

After Brent Davis's (Stony Plain, Alberta) goal 4:07 into the third period gave the Bison a 4-1 lead, the Owls came roaring back. A.J. Shiverdecker scored a power play goal with 12:27 remaining in regulation to make the score 4-2.

Westfield then scored two goals in the final two and a half minutes of regulation. Freshman Taylor Murray scored a power play goal off a rebound to cut the Bison lead to 4-3 with 2:26 remaining. Westfield sophomore Lucas Romero was then awarded a penalty shot with exactly a minute remaining as he stole the puck at the blue line and was taken down from behind in front of the net on a breakaway. He knotted the score at 4-4 by depositing his penalty shot into the upper right corner.

The Owls controlled the play for most of the final 25 minutes as they outshot the Bison 25-9 in the third period and 7-2 in overtime.

With the exception of Nichols' fourth goal, six of the first seven goals were scored on power plays.
Nichols led 2-1 after the first period on goals by Andrew Ella (Schomberg, Ontario) and Matt Sayer (Lowell, Mass.). Westfield freshman Vince Perreault countered with a power play goal in the 12th minute.
Nichols' Zach Kohn (Hartland, Wis.) scored the only second period goal.

Nichols goalie Jacob Rinn (Warwick, R.I.) made 43 saves and Westfield's Ray Monroe stopped 34 shots.

The Bison are back in action Wednesday when they face Franklin Pierce at 8:10 p.m. in their home opener.

Story courtesy Westfield State Sports Information

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