Vikings Salvage 2-2 Tie Against New England College

Vikings Salvage 2-2 Tie Against New England College

SALEM, Mass. – Salem State and New England College skated to a 2-2 tie on Saturday afternoon at Rockett Arena. The Vikings erased a two-goal first period deficit and Sean Cleary (Barnstable, Mass.) made 39 saves, including a game-saving stop in overtime as Salem State salvaged a tie. The Vikings are now 1-4-2 on the season while the Pilgrims go to 6-2-1.

New England College won the opening faceoff and Daniel Bergqvist (Sundsvall, Sweden) converted on an odd-man rush just nine seconds into the game to stake the Pilgrims to an early 1-0 lead.

Later, Alex Laplante (Londonderry, N.H) punched in rebound just before time expired to increase the Pilgrims' lead to 2-0 at the end of the first.

The Vikings produced the only score of the second period when Callum Hofford (Woodbridge, Ontario) drilled home a power play goal with less than 15 seconds remaining to draw Salem State to within a goal.    

Late in the third, Salem State's Billy McGwin (Rocjester, N.Y.) rifled one in from the slot, beating Puppolo above the stick to tie the game 2-2 with less than four minutes remaining.

Neither team found the back of the net in overtime. Both goaltenders were tested throughout the game and played solidly. Anthony Pupplo (Shirley, N.Y.) made 29 stops for New England College, which outshot the Vikings 41-31.