Salem State Clips Fitchburg State 2-1

SALEM, Mass. - Goalie Olivier Lacroix's (Montreal, Quebec) splendid performance of 28 saves propelled the Salem State Vikings over the Fitchburg State Falcons 2-1 at Richard H. Rockett Arena on Saturday. The Vikings move to 3-4 on the season and 3-3 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) and the Falcons slip to 2-4-2 on the year and 1-2-2 in the conference.

Both goalies were strong in the opening period, allowing no goals in the first period. Brian McGrath (Worcester, Mass.) for the Falcons saved eight shots and Olivier Lacroix (Montreal, Quebec) stopped 11 shots for the Vikings.

In the second period, Billy McGwin (Rochester, N.Y.) scored the first goal of the game for the Vikings putting them ahead 1-0. McGwin was persistent getting his own miss and then putting the puck in the net.

With penalties on Patrick Germain (Auburn, Mass.) and Michael Fretz (Seattle, Wash.), Salem State had a 5-on-3 power-play opportunity, but couldn't take advantage as the score stayed 1-0 at the end of the 2nd period.

The Vikings went up 2-0 when Callum Hofford (Woodbridge, ONT) scored with a booming shot from inside the blue line less than a minute into the third.

With 4:30 left in the 3rd period, Ricky Kramer (Barnstead, N.H.) scored the first goal for the Falcons to keep their hopes alive. Kramer squeezed the puck on the right side of the net to bring Fitchburg State within one goal at 2-1.

The Falcons played with an empty net over the final minute, but the Vikings were able to hold on to their lead, earning a one-goal win.

Both teams didn't convert on any power plays with Fitchburg having four and the Vikings had six.

McGrath finished with 22 saves for the Falcons.

The Vikings will face Southern Maine on Tuesday at Richard H. Rockett Arena at 7:00 p.m.