Sophomore forward Dave Zelasko scored a hat trick and freshman goalie Raj Bhangoo made 22 saves en route to his first collegiate shutout as Wentworth (18-7-2) defeated Salve Regina (11-5-0), 7-0, in the semifinals of the ECAC Northeast Tournament.
The win, the Leopards’ 18th, set a new school record for victories in a season.
Freshman forward Ben Pierce scored first, a shorthanded tally at 11:31 of the first. Zelasko’s first of the game came with :50 left in the second to give Wentworth a 2-0 lead after two periods of play.
The Leopards erupted for five third-period goals, as senior forward Ivan Filippov got things going with a power-play tally at 8:46. Zelasko netted his second of the game at 10:34, while sophomore forward Joe Crowley scored the first of his junior season at 17:09.
Zelasko’s third goal of the game at 15th of the season came with 1:06 left to play, and sophomore forward Tom Milward rounded out the scoring with 29 seconds left in the contest.
Salve Regina goalie Chris Burns made 49 saves as the Seahawks were outshot, 49-22, including 20-7 in the third period.
With the win Wentworth, the defending ECAC Northeast champion, advances to the title game. The Leopards will host Lebanon Valley, an 8-5 winner over Johnson & Wales in the other semifinal, Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
