Prior to tonight’s MASCAC quarterfinals, #4 Westfield State and #5 Framingham State split their three matchups 1-1-1 this season. Westfield State would utilize their skating speed to create several scoring chances throughout the game. 14:23 into the first period, Westfield State forward Cooper Board crashed the net and Ryan O’Halloran fed a pass from behind the net to Board to take a 1-0 lead. Almost three minutes later, forward Gianluca Marini shot the puck and forward Cullen Young demonstrated his hand eye ability with a slick tip-in goal to beat goaltender Trevor Stenberg to take a two goal lead. In the second period, both teams had a great opportunity to score on a 5-minute major power play but both penalty kill units stepped up and killed them off. 13:51 into the third period, Ryan Moorhouse would score off of a wraparound shot from Christopher Miraldo and disparage Framingham state’s hopes for a comeback. Framingham State would pull their goalie in hopes of scoring at least one goal but Gianluci Marini would find Brett Williams with the puck who would bury the empty net goal and put this game out of reach with 42 seconds remaining. Kevin Chandler shined in net stopping all 27 shots and earning first star of the night. Westfield State dominated the dot winning 66% of the faceoffs Gianluci Marini went 18 for 24 and Julian Boisclair went 15 for 24. 

Westfield State has a daunting and exhilarating match against the 13th nationally ranked/8th Pairwise ranked and conference regular season champs Plymouth State Saturday. Westfield State is the only team in MASCAC to defeat Plymouth this season and through three games, both teams are 1-1-1. They will have to try to stop Will Redick who leads D3 nationally with 53 points in 23 games (an insane 2.3 PPG). He is also a power play specialist tallying 11 powerplay goals and has a whopping +34. Additionally, they are loaded with strong two way forwards like Connor Tait (1.24 PPG, +27), and Will Pray (1.04 PPG, +16). Not to mention dominant defensemen who can move the puck like Rider Mcallum and Donte’ Diponio, both averaging over .75 PPG, 19+ shot blocks, and at least a +17. Kalle Andersson has been solid when called upon posting a 93% save and stopping 517 shots. Westfield State will rely upon Kevin Chandler to have a strong performance against an offensive juggernaut that averages 48.6 shots per game. Faceoffs will be crucial to dictate the possession game, Plymouth State averaged 59.3% this season in the dot. Special teams will also be significant, Plymouth State’s powerplay is 27.6% versus Westfield State’s 14.2%. Another headline going into Saturday’s game is Westfield State has struggled on the road this season going 3-7 while Plymouth has dominated at home going 11-0-1. Westfield State will be looking to their forwards Emile Pichette (1.15 PPG), Christopher Miraldo (1.07 PPG), and Gianluci Marini (.96 PPG). It’ll be a great game and no matter what the odds look like, upsets and miracles do happen. Just look at the 1980 US team. It’ll be another intense and hard fought MASCAC battle.