Bugarin's OT Winner Caps Senior Night Thriller as Rams Edge Worcester State 4-3

FRAMINGHAM, MASS. – Scott Bugarin scored an unassisted goal 4:40 into overtime to lift Framingham State to a 4-3 victory over Worcester State on Senior Night at the Loring Arena Thursday evening.

THE BASICS:

• Score: Framingham State 4, Worcester State 3 (OT)
• Records: Framingham State (7-16-0, 4-8-0 MASCAC), Worcester State (9-11-4, 2-8-3 MASCAC)
• Location: Framingham, Mass. - Loring Arena
• Senior Night Honorees: Jack Ennis (#6), Jerry Duckett (#7), Bobby Bernier (#14), Jake Barcelou (#16), Liam Kilgallen (#30), Sam Larkin (#37), Luke Yubeta (#38)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Framingham State took a 1-0 lead late in the first period when senior Jerry Duckett buried a power-play goal at 19:14, assisted by Nathan Gines. The Rams were on a man advantage after Worcester's Brock Forrest was assessed a five-minute boarding major earlier in the period.
• Senior Sam Larkin extended the lead to 2-0 early in the second, scoring at 3:46 with an assist from Brent Scott. But the Lancers responded with three goals in a span of 5:16 to take a 3-2 lead. Brady Carpenter scored on the power play at 6:46, Matthew Nuzzolilo added an unassisted even-strength tally at 7:57, and Matt Lombardi made it 3-2 at 9:02.
• Framingham State answered quickly. Nathan Gines tied the game 3-3 at 15:46 on the power play, with assists from Cullen Lacey and Jonas Oesterle, after Worcester's Bryce Grandbois was whistled for hitting from behind.
• The third period was a defensive stalemate with neither team finding the back of the net despite a combined 20 shots.
• In overtime, Bugarin gathered the puck and fired it past Donovan Alfama at 4:40 to send the Senior Night crowd home happy with a sudden-death winner.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Worcester State held a 42-28 advantage in shots on goal but Framingham State senior goaltender Liam Kilgallen was outstanding, stopping 39 of 42 shots in the victory.
• Worcester State's Donovan Alfama made 24 saves on 28 shots in the loss.
• Both teams were efficient on the power play, with Framingham State going 2-for-3 and Worcester State converting 1-of-3.
• Worcester State dominated the faceoff circle, winning 53 of 75 draws (70.7%).
• Framingham State outshot Worcester State 12-8 in the third period and 5-2 in overtime after being outshot 32-11 through the first two periods.
• Nathan Gines finished with a goal and an assist for the Rams. Bugarin led all Framingham State skaters with six shots on goal.
• Brady Carpenter and Matt Lombardi each recorded a goal and an assist for Worcester State.

UP NEXT:

• Framingham State hits the road Saturday, February 14 to face MCLA at 5:00 PM EST.