McGwin Scores Twice in Salem State's 3-2 Victory

SALEM, Mass. --  Billy McGwin (Rochester, N.Y.) scored two goals, including the game-winner as Salem State clipped Wentworth 3-2 on Thursday evening at Rockett Arena. Despite being outshot 39-20, the Vikings were able to improve to 4-6-1 on the season.

Wentworth drew an early penalty shot by Georgy Gorodetsky (Yekaterinburg, Russia) in the opening minutes of the first period. Gorodetsky had a wide open net as he went to his backhand, but Salem State goalie Sean Cleary (Barnstable, Mass.) made a nice save with his skate to deny the Leopards (4-7-4) an early lead. Despite being outshot 11-2 early, the Vikings' offense game alive in the final minutes of the first period, forcing Wentworth goalie Thomas Draper (Binghamton, N.Y.) to make several outstanding saves. McGwin finally broke the stalemate when he drove home a Parker Wood (Rochester Hills, Mich.) shot on a power play with just over two minutes remaining in the first, allowing the Vikings to exit the period with a 1-0 lead. 

Wood gave Salem State a 2-0 lead when he skated through the Leopards' defense and beat Draper high, glove-side for the Vikings' second power play goal with less than nine minutes remaining in the second period.

Connor Busch (Lake in the Hills, Ill.) ripped home a rebound in the opening minute of the third period that drew the Leopards to within a goal on a man-advantage. However, McGwin answered for the Vikings with his second goal of the night before Jake McKenelley (Middleton, Mass.) made it a one-score game with a power play goal with 12:52 left on the clock. The Vikings held off a late charge by the Leopards, who with an extra-attacker nearly tied the game in the final seconds, but Cleary and the defense held on for the victory.

Cleary stopped 37 shots for the Vikings in the win to even his record at 3-3 on the season. Thomas Draper (Binghamton, N.Y.) made 17 saves for Wentworth in the loss and is now 3-7-4 on the year.