Dill's Game-Winner Stops Falcons 6-4 On Military Appreciation Night

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications 

SALEM, Mass.-  Zach Dill (Lake Tahoe, Calif.) scored twice, including the game-winner, and added an assist to give Salem State a 6-4 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) victory over Fitchburg State on Thursday night on Military Appreciation Night at Rockett Arena. The Vikings improve their record to 6-14, 6-10 while the Falcons drop 10-8-2, 9-5-2.

Before the game, Salem State team physician and 15-year United States Army and Navy veteran Dr. Doug Peterson officaited the ceremonial puck drop, as the Salem State athletic community honored the sacrifices of past and current service members of the United States military. 

Early in the first, Carson James (Boston, Mass.) was called for hooking at 2:39, giving the Falcons a five-and-four advantage. Despite being a man down, the Vikings scored the game's first goal as Erik Larsson (South Lake Tahoe, Calif.) from the left side of the net, beat Falcons' goalie Max Machioni (North Kingstown, R.I.) for a shorthanded goal, with Dill credited with the assist at the 2:53 mark.  

Nearly five minutes later, Fitchburg responded by tying the scoring at one. Kramer found Brendan Walker (Clarkston, MI.) on the right side of the net, and he managed to tie the game at one. Kramer and Alexandre Bauvais (Mendon, France) were credited with the assists at the 7:21 mark.

The Vikings were eager to retake the lead and shift momentum in their favor, but Macchioni managed to extend his stick on the left side, blocking the puck and preventing it from going inside the net, keeping the game at a one-goal difference.

Salem State managed to retake the lead when the puck was loose near the net, and Carson Whitman (Boston, Mass.) taallied a score from teh right side.  Larsson and Luke Pepin (Lee, N.H.) were credited with the assists at the 13:13 mark of the period.

Late into the period, Evan Cronkhite (Aliso Viejo, Calif.)  was sent to the box for interference. The penalty would carry on for the first eleven seconds of the second period. Despite the Vikings being up by a goal, Fitchburg State outshot Salem State 18 to 9 on shots on goal.

Salem State held a one-goal lead over the Fitchburg Falcons, with the score standing at 2-1 heading into the second period.

Salem State was able to kill off three power plays, displaying brilliant defensive skills. As the period continued, Landyn Greatorex (Reading, Mass.) managed to sneak behind the Falcons' defense, creating a one-on-one with Macchioni. Greatorex moved the puck with his stick, but unfortunately, Salem State missed a golden opportunity to extend the lead as Macchioni saved a goal with his pad.

Fitchburg State was attacking the Vikings' zone; putting pressure on Thomas. However, Thomas made some tough saves, keeping the game 2-1 in favor of the Vikings. But the Falcons managed to tie the game as Hunter Dunn (Douglas, Mass.) capitalized on a rebound, tying the game at two at the 10:54 mark.

The resilient Vikings did not waste any time as they regained the lead. Ryan Barrett (Wilmington, Mass.) scored  his first collegiate goal fromthe right side with assists from Peyton Hughes (Northridge, Calif.) and Ryan Meagher (Boston, Mass.). Seven seconds later off the faceoff, Salem State scored once again when Larsson found Dill to give the Vikings a 4-3 lead.

However, the Falcons got back into the game when Oliver Cookson (Clarkston, MI)  scored off a rebound with Cole Archambeault (Leominster, Mass.) credited with the assists at the 15:49 mark. During the final ten minutes of the period, there were four goals in total, two by Salem State and two by Fitchburg State. The Vikings found themselves up by a single goal heading into the final period of the game.

Throughout the first two periods, Salem State had won 26 faceoffs compared to Fitchburg State's 22. The Falcons were 0 for 4 during their power play, while the Vikings still hadn't had a power play opportunity during the course of the game. Hunter Thomas (Schwenksville, Pa.) saved 33 of 36 shots, while Macchioni saved 14 of 18 shots.

As the game progressed in the third, Salem State was granted their first power play opportunity with Larsson looking to slam the puck home on a wrap-around, but Macchioni denied him. The Vikings had another chance to increase their lead during the power play, but the Falcons managed to kill it off.

However, the Falcons were putting pressure on the Vikings' zone, it paid off when Cookson scored his second goal of the game, sneaking the puck into the net with Imala and Macchioni credited with the assists at 13:17. Late in the period, the Vikings were on the power play and looking to break the 4-4 tie when Dill scored his second goal of the game on a power play, with Larsson and Pepin earning the assists. Greatorex then sealed the deal for the Vikings with an empty-netter, with Day credited with the assist.

Throughout the game, Macchioni saved 25 of 30 shots while Thomas saved 39 of 43 shots. Fitchburg State was 0 for 5 (.000) on their power play attempts while Salem State was 1 for 2 (.500). 

The Vikings will be looking to carry their winning momentum when they face Framingham State for a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) contest on Saturday, February 3. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m.