Wildcats, Vikings Skate to 1-1 Tie

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications 

ATTLEBORO, Mass.-  Celeste Scoppettuolo (Revere, Mass.) scored a goal and Kaia Hollingsworth  (Methuen, Mass.) saved 33 of 34 shots as Salem State ended up with a 1-1 draw against Johnson and Wales in a New England Collegiate Hockey Conference (NEHC) contest on Saturday afternoon at New England Sports Village. The Vikings are know 5-14-2, 2-10-2 on the season while the Wildcats are 5-14-2, 4-9-1.

Prior to the game, coach Ray Kizzie gave his scouting report ahead of this afternoon's game against Johnson and Wales. "Just look at where the two teams are in the standing, so obviously it is a big game  so expect a lot of fire works today."  Coach Kizzie also added how his team is going to bounce back form last night's loss against UMass-Boston.  "We know the magnitude of this game, so we have to have the right mindset to be ready to go and have a good performance."

Scoppettuolo reflected back to the first meeting when both teams met back on November 17 when the Vikings defeated the Wildcats 4 to 2. "I think we had a great game, this is definitely a must win today. I think just gets puck into the net we will have a successful game." She also added what will it mean if her team can sweep the season series "We could get to playoff hopefully, and just go to work. I am excited, I am excited for this game."

The Vikings applied pressure early on the Wildcats' defense, but Sofia Tamayo's (Orland Park, Ill.), quick reflexes kept the score tied at zero.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the ice,  Hollingsworth, the goaltender for Salem State, showed off her impressive athleticism, making a crucial save to prevent Johnson and Wales from taking the lead. 

As the game progressed, both teams fought hard to gain an advantage. Salem State was eventually granted their first power play of the game when Zoe Tow (Brookline, Mass.)  of Johnson and Wales received a penalty for slashing. The Vikings had a five on four advantage and were looking to capitalize, but they were unable to score.

Isabelle Besser (North Scituate, R.I.) of Salem State made an impressive play, skating past three defenders to get close to the net, hoping to score a shorthanded goal. However, her shot was blocked, keeping the game scoreless.

As the first period came to a close, neither team had managed to score a goal. Both teams headed to the locker room to regroup and plan their strategy for the second period.

Alternative Captain Jessica Robert (North Reading, Mass.), who had scored the first goal of the game the previous night against the Beacons, was ready to strike again and bring the Vikings ahead of the Wildcats. Unfortunately, her wraparound shot was denied, but it didn't take long for Salem State to seize the opportunity and take the lead.

Isabella Perrotti's (Winthrop, Mass.) shot from the left side was deflected by Scoppettuolo, who managed to put the puck inside the net at the 2:06 mark of the period. Perrotti and Lexi Warner (Littleton, Mass.) were credited with the assists.

After the game Scoppettuolo reflected on the goal that she scored. "[Isa]bella Perrotti shot from the point, I just was right there in front; got the rebound. I am glad I was there to get the first goal." She also added, "It was awesome. We definitely added more chemistry throughout the game, we started playing a lot better as a team."

Johnson and Wales, on the other hand, was looking for a way to get back into the game, but Hollingsworth was determined to keep them from scoring. Allyson Barry (Woodbury, Minn.) was sent to the box for slashing Meghan Azzato (Falmouth, Mass.), and the Vikings were eager to extend their lead as Mikayla McGrath (Revere, Mass.) was inches away from scoring.

36 seconds into Salem State's power play, Warner was sent to the box, creating a four on four for a minute and twenty-four seconds. The Wildcats managed to take advantage, tying the game. Sophia Brea (Windham, N.H.) took a shot near the net on the left side with Alexia Labre (Saint-Lazare, Quebec)  and Madi Fox (Wilbraham, Mass.) credited with the assists at the 15:20 mark.

 The resilient Vikings did not quit, and Olivia Tednes (Elk Grove Village, IL) was inches away from giving them the lead as the puck just missed. With 31.6 seconds remaining of the second period, Aislinn Bennett (Medford, Mass.) was sent to the box, and the Wildcat power play would carry over for a minute and twenty-nine seconds into the last period.

After the game coach Kizzie expressed what was the strategy to kill off the penalty. "Basically off the faceoff just get the puck deep… and try to move off and keep putting pressure on play in front of us."

After two periods of play, Hollingsworth managed to save 19 of 20 shots on goal, while Tamayo saved 14 of 15. Both teams were 0 for 2 on their power play, while Salem State had a slight advantage on faceoffs, winning 19 while Johnson and Wales won 17. The game was tied heading into the final twenty minutes of regulation.

During the third period the Wildcats were eager to take the lead early on, but the Vikings Graycen Davis (Brookline, Mass.), who was sent to the box, thwarted their efforts. However, the Vikings could kill off the penalty on the other side, thanks to some solid defending. Salem State's McGrath then took a shot at the goal, not once but twice, including her own rebound, in a bid to give the Vikings the lead.

As the period progressed, both teams were desperately looking to break the 1-1 tie. Tea Miles (Northfield, Vt.), the alternative captain for Salem State,  blocked a shot by Brea, and a few minutes later, Hollingsworth made a crucial save on the right side. With the game still tied at one, Tednes went into the box, giving the Wildcats a five-on-four penalty with just 3:55 minutes remaining. In response, coach Kizzie called a time-out, hoping to rally his team for a final push. Azzato then stepped up and blocked Harmony Chicoose's (Regina, Saskatchewan) shot as the power play was about to expire.

With just over a minute remaining, Fox  made a brilliant move, moving the puck left and right with her stick, looking to give the Wildcats the lead, but Hollingsworth made an unbelievable save to deny her.

The game went into overtime, and both teams played five minutes of hockey, going three on three.

Coach Kizzie expressed what was the message heading to overtime. "Just relax, keep the puck in front of you and make sure to be on the d[efenseive] side and be responsible."

Everyone in the arena except the referee though that Scoppettuolo notched her second goal of the game in overtime. However, the referee did not see it that way and the game ended up in a draw.

Salem State was 0 for 2 during the power play, while Johnson and Wales was 1 for 4. The Vikings won 34 faceoffs, while the Wildcats won 25. Hollingsworth, the Vikings' goaltender, saved 33 of 34 shots, while Tamayo, the Wildcats' goalkeeper, saved 25 of 26.

Salem State will be back in action on Friday, returning to Rockett Arena to face off against the Plymouth State Panthers for a New England Collegiate Hockey Conference (NEHC) contest. Puck drop is at 6 pm.