Robert Nets Game-Winner in OT

GORHAM, Maine – Senior Jessica Robert poked in a rebound with :28 seconds left in overtime to propel Salem State to an exciting 2-1 win over Southern Maine in New England Hockey Conference play on Saturday at USM Ice Arena. The victory clinched the final playoff spot in the upcoming NEHC post-season tournament for the Vikings, which begins next weekend. No. 8 seed Salem State will face no. 1 seed Elmira.

The Vikings win their final regular season conference tilt, and improve to 6-15-2 and go to 3-13-2 in conference. The Huskies, who earned the no. 3 seed, finish the regular season 13-11-1 and 11-6-1 in the NEHC.

A delayed penalty on Southern Maine led to an extra-attacker for the Vikings as the game wound into the final seconds in overtime. Salem State capitalized on the 4-on-3 as Robert slid a shot past goalie, Ellie Fredenburg after the sophomore could not corral the initial shot off the stick of Kendra Currier. The Vikings earlier erased a 1-0 deficit as Abby Stafford scored an unassisted goal at 4:19 of the third as the two teams battled in a low scoring affair for the second night in a row. 

Southern Maine, who defeated Salem State 2-1 in Salem the previous night, took a 1-0 lead in the second on a goal by Saige MacLeod. However, just like the night before, the home team could not hold the lead as the team that scored first lost for the second consecutive game. 

Hannah Aveni made 25 saves to earn the win, while Fredenburg ended the contest with 30 saves on 32 attempts. The Vikings outshot the Huskies for the second straight game, ending with a 32-26 advantage.