WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. – In a physical and thrilling opening game in the inaugural Tampa College Hockey Invitational, the MSOE men's hockey team defeated Tufts University to advance to tomorrow's championship.

FINAL SCORE
MSOE RAIDERS – 4

Tufts - 2

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Despite an active offense from Tufts (4-5-1, 2-4-0 NESCAC) in the first period, who led the shot total 16-7, it was MSOE (4-7-1, 2-6-0 NCHA) who struck first when Gramm McCormack struck one from the point to give them a 1-0 lead. The Raider defense limited the attempts from the Jumbos in the second period, they found the back of the net midway through, only to be answered less than a minute later when Ethan Mann sliced through the defense. The Raiders hoping to grow their lead late in the period on the power play, the Jumbos spoiled it on a breakaway goal short-handed to head into the third period tied at two.
• Both defenses stiffened up in the third, limiting each team to just seven shots. With a power play opportunity late in the third for one of the first true scoring opportunities of the period, Jacob Bosse took it himself from center ice to give the Raiders a 3-2 lead with under six minutes to play. With the Jumbos sending an extra man on the ice hoping to send the game to overtime, Eddie Shepler capped it off with an empty netter with 2.9 remaining.

MSOE STAT TRACKER
Shots – Preston Park (3)
Goals – Four with one 
Assists – Five with one
Saves – Austin Schwab (27)

WHO'S ON DECK
The Raiders will play in the championship game tomorrow night, Saturday January 4^th, against Suffolk University at 7:30 PM ET. 

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