Three Goal Second Period Helps Fitchburg State to 5-1 Victory Over Salem State

SALEM, Mass. - Christopher Vicario (Cranston, R.I.) notched two goals and added an assist to lead Fitchburg State to a 5-1 victory over Salem State at Richard H. Rockett Arena on Thursday night. The Falcons improve to 11-10-2 on the season and 8-6-2 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC). The Vikings fall to 7-16-1 on the year and 6-11-0 in the MASCAC.

Salem State honored members of its senior class in a ceremony before the game. Parker Wood (Rochester Hills, Mich.), Connor Irving (Beverly, Mass.), Jimmy Currier (Middleton, Mass.), Aleksi Mustaniemi (Vihti, Finland) and Brody Heleno (Mississauga, Ontario) were recognized for their dedication and commitment to the Salem State hockey program. 

It was a scoreless first period as the Vikings dominated play, outshooting the Falcons 12-3.

However, Fitchburg State's offense came out on fire in the second, scoring three times in a period of 2:27 to take a commanding 3-0 lead. Ryan Murphy (Wayzata, Minn.) facilitated the first goal, advancing the puck forward and passing it to the middle for Kyle Hillick (Byfield, Mass), who scored to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead at 13:19.

Vicario and Dean Zerby (Harrisburg, Penn.) then connected on back-to-back goals just fourteen seconds apart. At 11:45, Joe Smith (Holbrook, Mass.) was called for charging. On the ensuing power play, Vicario battled for a loose puck and beat goalie Sean Cleary (Barnstable, Mass.). Zerby's quick goal extended the Falcons lead to 3-0.

Just 5:16 into the third period, Billy Falter (Wilmington, Mass.) finally put the Vikings on the board at as he finally beat Brian McGrath (Worcester, Mass.), who had been stellar up to that point.

Fitchburg State's Ricky Kramer (Barnstead, N.H.) answered at 12:09 and another from Vicario at 2:09 on a five-minute power play closed the scoring on the Falcons' 5-1 victory.

Cleary saved 20 shots for Salem State while McGrath stopped 23.