Suffolk Edges Salem State 4-3

Suffolk Edges Salem State 4-3

CHARLESTOWN, Mass. – The Suffolk Rams erased a 2-1 first period deficit to hold off Salem State 4-3 on Tuesday evening at Emmons Horrigan O'Neil Memorial Rink. With the win the Rams improve to 4-7-1 while the Vikings slip to 2-6-2. 

Trailing 1-0 in the first, Derek Scoggins connected on a power play with a long-range shot off the post and into the netting to make it a 1-all game at the 15:43 minute mark. Matt Yianacopolus and Billy McGwin assisted on the game-tying goal.  With less than two minutes remaining, Tom Ignatovich's shot from the blue line with just over a minute to play in the first was tipped in front by Michael Shippee to send Salem State into the locker room ahead, 2-1. Callus Hofford helped the Vikings take the one-goal lead. 

The Rams responded in the middle period. The blue-and-gold won a scuffle in the corner, sent the puck out to the blue line where Joe Vingi rifted into the slot and wristed a shot blocker side to even the non-conference clash at 2-all at the 13:17 minute mark.  

Nearly four minutes later, Garrity gave the blue-and-gold the advantage for the second and final time on the day. This time, he cut off a Salem pass for a one-on-one with Sato-Hunsula. He scored blocker side to make it a 3-2 Suffolk score. Kreuser poked the puck to Garrity to set up the fast-break eventual game-winner marker with 3:47 left on the clock in the second period.  

Shawn Montgomery tacked on an insurance tally 43 seconds out of the second intermission when the sophomore picked up Nick Lachaine's pass between Sato-Hunsula and post for an easy score that pushed Rams cushion to a pair, 4-2.  

Salem State trimmed the margin back to one 3:39 into the third quarter. From there, Suffolk backed up Cal Wilcox between the pipes to hold on for the 4-3 triumph.  

Wilcox stopped 27 shots for the victory. Joona Sato-Hunsula tallied 22 saves in the setback.