The first frame in this quarterfinal saw the higher seeded (#3) Corsairs control possession but not create many Grade A chances in the early proceedings. They were great at pushing the issue, yet did not seem to do very well in the playmaking department. For the Lancers (#6), they looked good in transition but did not get much sustained pressure. However, what offense they did generate translated into a dirty goal for the game’s first tally as Brendan Ronan put home the garbage that UMass Dartmouth did not have a chance to clean up, with Shane Prifrel being credited with an assist. My thought at this time was that the Corsairs might be able to turn the game around if they got the rush going. That is precisely what happened, as their ability to play with pace turned into a goal by Collin Patterson with just over five minutes remaining in the first, with Michael Perrone tallying the apple. The Corsairs subsequently had a chokehold on Worcester State’s offensive zone, as Lancers blueliner Cody Porcello was sent to the box for hooking almost immediately thereafter. Both during and after the ensuing power play, UMass Dartmouth tilted the ice in their favor. They ended the first period down in shots on net and total shots (10-9 and 22-13, respectively), but looked solidly in control of the pace of play. They certainly appeared the stronger team in that 1-1 drawn period.

Corsairs netminder Daniel Davidson would be called upon to utilize his skill set (I was impressed by his reads and his mobility and athleticism at the times where he was needed, reminding me somewhat of an Andrei Vasilevskiy goaltending archetype) early on in the second period, but it was all UMass Dartmouth after that. C Kevin Johnston would get his hands dirty a bit to make the score 2-1. The second power play opportunity of the night for the Corsairs would see them make the score 3-1, with just under seven minutes remaining, as Jake Maynard delivered a rocket after a couple of near-misses at the goal mouth eventually saw the puck make its way to him. Michael Peronne would make it 4-1 in favor of UMass Dartmouth after spending a stint of his own in the sin bin, finishing a solo effort reminiscent of Flyer Travis Konecny’s end-to-end rush goal vs. Chicago on Wednesday night. The Corsairs had a 14-13 advantage over the Lancers in shots on goal in this period, with both teams having 23 attempts in total to their names. However, it was clear that UMD had the monopoly on the best offensive looks and control of possession and dictated the speed of the game pretty decisively.

In the final frame, the Lancers made it interesting, as Brian Clougherty was able to tip one in on the power-play to bring the score 4-2. However, they were snakebit after that, with at least one more impressive look off of the draw clanged off the iron. Subsequently, the UMass Dartmouth watertight defense that diverted so many shot attempts by Worcester State off target by taking away lanes or blocking them outright made a huge difference in the rest of the game. Occasionally, it looked as though even moving the puck and connecting on passes was difficult for the Lancers due to the excellent zone D utilized by UMD. They ended the game with a 26-9 advantage in blocked shots. This defensive effort really made all the difference in the last stanza and the Corsairs would hold on to emerge victorious, 4-2. Their next steps will be taken in the semifinals on the road against Fitchburg State (#2). We shall see if they continue their successful season with a playoff road victory to book a date in the finals that will most likely be with perennial powerhouse, the nationally ranked Plymouth State (#1 in MASCAC, #8 nationwide in Pairwise).