Salem State Knocks Off Rams 4-1

SALEM, Mass. - Billy McGwin's (Rochester, N.Y.) goal and assist lifted the Salem State Vikings to a 4-1 victory over the Framingham State Rams at Richard H. Rockett Arena on Saturday. The Vikings' win ends their four-game losing streak as they improve to 6-12-1 on the year and 5-7 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC). The Rams dip to 2-15-1 on the season and 0-11-1 in the MASCAC.

In the first period, Framingham State's Ryan McDonough (Dorchester, Mass.) was sent to the penalty box for tripping. Seconds before the power play expired, McGwin took a shot and the puck deflected off of goalie Greg Harney (East Haven, CT) leaving the left side of the goal exposed as Trevor Mallet (York, Maine) was able to tip in the puck putting the Vikings ahead 1-0.

Salem State extended their lead to 2-0 in the second period as Dan Shea (Hingham, Mass.) knocked the puck into the right corner of the net.

With 8:50 left in the second period, Ryan Paul (Morgan, VT) was behind the goal and gave a great pass to Jack Sheehan (Norwood, Mass.) in the middle to score Framingham State's first goal of the game.

There were 28 seconds remaining in the second period when goalie Sean Cleary (Barnstable, Mass.) made a diving save from an Alex Groner (Clifton, VA) shot that kept Salem State's one-goal lead heading into the third period.

The Vikings added another power play goal midway through the third as McGwin was able to recover the puck and score putting Salem State ahead 3-1.

Three minutes later, the Vikings delivered a series of great passes setting up a Parker Wood goal (Rochester Hills, MI). Wood saw an opening and took a wrist shot to give Salem State a comfortable 4-1 lead.

Salem State's Cleary was exceptional only allowing one goal while saving 17 shots. The Ram's Harney made 15 saves in the loss.