SNHU Tops Owls, 3-2 in Hunger Game

WOBURN, Mass.  -  Southern New Hampshire's Brendan Lynch stuffed in a rebound with 3:12 left in the third period to give the Penmen a 3-2 win over Westfield State in in a non-conference game at the O'Brien Rink in Woburn, Mass., on Tuesday night.

 Westfield State is now 4-2-1 this season, while the Penmen improve to 3-4 overall.

 The game was played as a charity fundraiser to support the St. Vincent de Paul and Woburn Council for Social Concern food banks, a cause near and dear to the heart of Westfield State head coach Bob Miele, who's late father Bob was heavily involved with the St. Vincent de Paul Food bank.  SNHU head coach Sean Walsh is also a Woburn resident.

 The hometown connections spurred a crowd of approximately 500 fans. Non-perishable items were collected for the food bank from patrons of the game, and proceeds from the gate receipts will be split between the two food banks.

 It was the first-ever collegiate game played at the O'Brien Rink, home of the Woburn Tanners and Mass Bay Warriors junior programs, and Woburn Youth Hockey and Woburn High School boys and girls hockey teams.

 The game was a see-saw affair between the Penmen and the Owls all night.

 SNHU got on the board first with a goal from Austin Hirschberger at 11:58, as the Penmen outshot the Owls 13-4 in the opening period.

 Westfield was able to equalize before the break, with Christopher Miraldo finishing at 14:36.

 Westfield jumped on top in the second period, as Emile Pichette gathered the puck at center ice and the last defender slipped down as Pichette attacked.  His first shot was saved by SNHU goalie Sean Guerin, but the rebound bounced directy to Pichette who knocked the puck in for a 2-1 Westfield lead.

 The Owls led until 19:11 of the period, when a giveaway at the SNHU blueline led to a counter attack by the Penmen, with Matt Amante ripping a one timer as he hit the blueline that snuck past Westfield goalie Kevin Chandler.

 The two teams battled through the third, but with overtime looming, Jim Minnig's shot from the high crease was saved by Chandler, but the puck popped right to Lynch for the game winner.

 Westfield State will be off until November 30, when they travel to Fitchburg State for a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference game, with a 6:35 face off.

 Southern New Hampshire will return to action after the Thanksgiving break with a Northeast-10 Conference game against St. Anselm College at the Ice Den in Hooksett, N.H.