Backstrom, Alves Propel Owls' Comeback Victory

WORCESTER, Mass. -- Late-game heroics from senior forward Daniel Backstrom (Helsinki, Finland) and sophomore Justin Alves (Woburn, Mass.) propelled the Westfield State University Owls to a 3-2 overtime win over the Assumption College Greyhounds in non-conference action on Thursday night.

Backstrom finished with two goals and an assist, including the first overtime winner of his career.

It took a while for the scoring to get started in this contest, as the Greyhounds broke the ice first with a goal from John Chamberlain (Amesbury, Mass.) at the 16:28 mark of the second period to put Assumption up 1-0.

The Greyhounds would add to their lead when Christopher Stalmok (Paxton, Mass.) scored at the 9:05 mark in the third period  in the game, putting the home team up 2-0.

But the Owls would not go quietly, as Daniel Backstrom scored a power play goal with just 30 seconds left in the period to give Westfield a glimmer of hope.

Westfield State then took that momentum and tied the game in dramatic fashion with just five seconds left on Alves' tally to push the game into overtime.

Backstrom would strike again in overtime, scoring his second goal of the game to win it for the visiting Owls.

With the win, the Owls wrap up 2019 with a 5-3-3 record through the first third of the season. When Westfield resumes play after the break, lots of conference play ensues, but not before one last non-league game at Stonehill on January 9th. Puck drop is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. in Easton, Mass.