Shugrue, Owls Outlast Post, 2-1

WESTFIELD, Mass. –   Westfield State senior goaltender Tyler Shugrue made 38 saves to help the Owls to a 2-1 win over Post University in a non-conference ice hockey game at Amelia Park Arena on Tuesday night.

Shugrue earned the win in his first collegiate start.

Westfield grabbed a 1-0 lead with 2:32 left in the first period as Jojo Carbone headmanned a pass up ice to Paul Frys, who broke in on Eagles goaltender Brandon Brown and beat him 1-on-1 for the goal.

After a see saw second period that saw a combined 22 shots but no scoring, the Owls added an insurance goal with some nice passing on the power play that ended with Jake Ratcliffe burying a slapshot from the left side with assists from Dawson Garcia and Triston Theriot.

Post got one back with 10:05 left in the game when Kieran Gardner's shot from the right side deflected through the defense and in, on solid passes from Nick Brewer to Trey DeLoury to Gardner.

Westfield withstood a couple of late power play attempts from Post, and the Eagles pulled Brown in favor of the extra skater with 1:10 left but could not muster a tying goal.

Westfield State improves to 1-1 on the season, while Post is now 0-2.  Brown finished with 31 saves for the Eagles.

The Owls will be right back in action on Thursday, hosting Rivier (N.H.) College at 7:35 p.m. at Amelia Park.