Third Period Goal Leads Salem Past Men’s Ice Hockey

The Vikings go to 11-9-2 on the season and improve their Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) record to 8-6-1. The Rams fall to 4-10-1 in the MASCAC and 5-14-2 this season.

Salem State's rush did a great job in the offensive end, controlling the puck and eating up most of the clock in the first period as they outshot the Rams 8-1 in the first 10 minutes of the period. Peppering the net finally paid off just before the horn as Michael Casale (Stoney Creek, ONT) stuffed the puck in the net after a Gabriel Cromp (Montreal, QUE) wrist shot was deflected off of Makimaa's stick.

The Vikings' offensive dominance continued in the second period as they outshot Framingham State 26-8 after 40 minutes of play. However, in the 18th minute of play the Rams evened the score at 1-1 when Melvin Nichols (Saginaw, MI) picked the defense's pocket to beat Salem State goaltender Jason Pucciarelli (Newmarket, ONT) low and away. Alessio Muggli (Rueti, Switzerland) stopped 25 shots after two periods that kept the Rams in the game.

The Vikings scored the go-ahead goal four minutes into the third as Makimaa beat Muggli on a backhand that trickled past the crease to put Salem State atop 2-1 that secured another Salem State victory.

Jason Pucciarelli (Newmarket, ONT) finished with 13 saves in the win while Muggli ended the game with 36 saves. Salem State outshot the Rams 38-14 for the game.

The Vikings hit the ice again on February 14th when they travel to take on the Corsairs of UMass Dartmouth at 4:30 p.m.  Framingham State plays the Lancers of Worcester State University at 4:00 p.m. on February 15th.