PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Freshman Anton Nasstrom (Ornskoldsvik, Sweden) potted a pair of goals as Plymouth State University snapped its four-game skid with a 6-3 win over Anna Maria College in men's ice hockey action at Hanaway Rink on Thursday evening.
 
Anna Maria took advantage of a slow start to jump in front in the opening five minutes, but Plymouth State exploded for five straight goals to seize control. The AMCATS notched a pair of tallies in the third period to make things interesting, but Nasstrom put the game away with an empty-net goal to account for the final score.
 
Nasstrom was one of six Panthers to record two points, as seniors Jake Gerbner (Havertown, Pa.) and JR Barone (West Chester, Pa.) and sophomore Myles Abbate (Norwell, Mass.) each added a goal and an assist, while junior Mike McPherson (Somerville, Mass.) and sophomore Lukas Holmqvist (Lerum, Sweden) both chipped in with a pair of helpers.
 
Plymouth State improves 3-4-0, while the AMCATS drop to 1-4-0.
 
The Basics:

• Plymouth State 6, Anna Maria 3
  • Plymouth State (3-4-0)
  • Anna Maria (1-4-0)

Three Stars:

• Plymouth State
  • Anton Nasstrom (two goals)
  • JR Barone (one goal, one assist)
  • Jake Gerbner (one goal, one assist)

How it Happened:

• Anna Maria jumped out to the lead when freshman Lukas Radina (Horazdovice, Czech Republic) whipped in the rebound of a redirected shot at 4:38 of the opening period.
• The early deficit seemed to spark the Panthers, as the momentum quickly shifted to the home team. PSU evened the score less than five minutes later when McPherson carried the puck along the left side before finding Barone alone on the far post for a one-timer.
• PSU's continued zone pressure paid off when the Panthers pulled in front at 14:36 as Holmqvist whipped a turnaround shot from the blue line. McPherson, holding his ground in front of the net, tapped the puck to Abbate, who deposited it into the net.
• Nasstrom got into the scoring column midway through the second period, popping a loose puck into an empty net after Gerbner's close range shot was denied.
• Gerbner extended the lead with a power play goal of his own at 16:27, backhanding in a rebound of Barone's blast.
• The Panthers made it five-straight a minute later. Holmqvist played the puck along the boards and behind the goal to freshman Jeromey Rancourt (Lewiston, Maine), who hit senior Brandon Barillaro (Alexandria, Ontario) alone in the slot for the easy score.
• The AMCATS attempted to rally in the third, as junior Jack Sitzman (Redondo Beach, Calif.) scored on a rebound and junior Patrick Manning (Massena, N.Y.) whipped a wrist shot to the far post on a breakaway to make it 5-3 with 2:28 left to play.
• Nasstrom picked up a loose puck off a blocked shot and skated in on an empty net before being dragged down from behind at 18:33. The referees awarded a goal to account for the final score.

By the Numbers:

• Sophomore Brendahn Brawley (Morton, Pa.) improved to 2-1-0 after making 20 saves, while Anna Maria junior Julius Huset (Oakdale, Minn.) made 42 stops but dropped to 1-4-0.
• The Panthers outshot AMC by a 48-23 margin.
• PSU finished the night 1-of-7 on the power play, while the Panthers' penalty kill unit held the AMCATS scoreless in four attempts.
• Plymouth State improves to 3-0-1 all-time against Anna Maria. All three wins have come this season.

Up Next:

• After a day off, Plymouth State heads to Massachusetts to complete the weekend series and its COVID-shortened season on Saturday (Mar. 20). Puck drop is set for 5:40 p.m.