Collins Lights Lamp Twice As Owls Ground Skyhawks, 4-1

WESTFIELD, Mass. –  Westfield State's Justin Collins (Wilmington, Mass.) scored two goals and assisted on a third to power Westfield State to a 4-1, non-conference men's ice hockey win at Amelia Park Arena on Tuesday night. 

Westfield improves to 5-4-2 on the season, while Stonehill is now 4-7-1.

The Skyhawks got on the board first with the lone goal of the opening period as Mike Seoane  (Norwell, Mass.) tipped Teddy McElany's (Walpole, Mass.) shot from the point past Westfield State goaltender Valtteri Valtonen (Helsinki, Finland) on the power play.

But from there, the Owls stayed out of the penalty box for the rest of the night, and Valtonen made all the plays in finishing with 37 saves on the evening.

Collins tied the game just 56 seconds into the second period on the power play, as Jason Diamond (Lakeville, Conn.) and Mattheiu Jones (Gatineau, Quebec) did the dirty work in front of the net before slipping the puck out to Collins, who one-timed a shot from the right face off spot.

Collins added his second goal of the night in transition, as Peter Izzo (Oakville, Ont.) sent the puck ahead to Matt Pelletier (Westfield, Mass.), who dropped a pass for Collins, who again fired from the right faceoff circle for the goal and a 2-1 lead with 15:59 left in the second period.

Collins fed Chuck Costello (Philadelphia, Pa.) cutting to the net later in the period for a 3-1 lead.   Cory Morris added a late empty netter for the 4-1 final.   Diamond finished with a pair of assists for Westfield.

Chase McKay (New Port Richey, Fla.)  took the loss in net for the Skyhawks, making 35 saves in 58:54 between the pipes.

Westfield State will be back in action on Thursday at Amelia Park, hosting Assumption College at 7:35 p.m.