By Sophia Oppedisano
Staff Writer
The Framingham State Rams lost 3-2 to the MCLA Trailblazers in overtime Feb. 15.
The Rams now hold a conference record of 8-10-2 and clinched a spot in the MASCAC playoffs earlier this week.
Framingham currently ranks fifth in the MASCAC and is vying for a fourth-place finish to secure a home game to begin the playoffs next week.
The past month has proved difficult for the Rams in their conference matchups with only one win, two ties, and two losses. The loss to MCLA is the third game to go into overtime in those past six games.
The Trailblazers applied immediate pressure on the Rams, forcing a physical game from the first puck drop.
MCLA struck first with a goal only one minute into the game.
The Rams were the first to go to the penalty box for interference 10 minutes into the game and the Rams killed the penalty.
Brent Scott scored the first goal for Framingham 15 minutes into the period, assisted by Jeremy McDonald and Scott Bugarin.
MCLA took two penalties in the late minutes of the period for boarding and tripping. The Rams were unable to score on either power play opportunity and the first period ended tied 1-1.
The second period began with another MCLA tripping penalty 5 minutes into the period and the Rams did not score on the power play.
Goalie Trevor Stenberg took pressure in the defensive zone and made several huge saves for the Rams. Stenberg saved 27 shots on goal by the Trailblazers.
The Rams and Trailblazers took coincidental penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct and cross-checking, respectively, halfway through the second period. Both teams played short handed with four-on-four until the penalties expired.
Head Coach Michael Bailey said the penalties “definitely derail the game when you're playing short handed or four-on-four.
“But when you're out there in the heat of battle, guys have to protect themselves and sometimes, you know, it's harder to be disciplined in that case,” he said.
Devante Dixon scored for the Rams at 17:32, assisted by Robert Bernier and McDonald.
The second period ended 2-1.
The third period began with another coincidental penalty as both teams were sent to the box for roughing at 5:50.
MCLA scored 10 seconds into the coincidental penalty kill to tie the game 2-2.
The Trailblazers and Rams took a third coincidental penalty only seconds after the penalty kill at 7:49.
Both teams combined for 20 penalty minutes.
“In a game like that, we just kind of got to keep our heads up and we can rise to the physicality of the game,” said Framingham’s Ashton Collazo.
The game went into overtime tied 2-2 and MCLA took the game with a goal halfway through the overtime period, winning 3-2.
“The guys played well tonight. They played hard. They gave a heck of an effort. We just used way too much energy up and then, come overtime, we just didn't really have a lot left in the tank,” Bailey said.
The Rams look toward their final regular season game against MASCAC opponent Fitchburg State Feb. 17 on their home ice.
“One thing we've done all year is stay positive. You know, try and take the positives of the game, not get down on each other and just stay focused on working hard the next day in practice - staying upbeat,” Bailey said.
Collazo said, “The boys have to bounce back on Saturday, and hopefully, we can respond.”