Owls Unable to Climb Out of Three-Goal Deficit, Fall at Salem

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State first-year Chase Parry (Pittsburgh, Penn.) scored his first collegiate goal, but the Owls were unable to overcome a pair of three-goal deficits, dropping a MASCAC contest to Salem State on the road Saturday night.

The Owls have now lost four of their last five games, all against league opponents as Westfield now holds an 11-12 overall mark and a 7-9 conference record. The Vikings continue to put together a strong season, advancing to 16-6 on the year and 12-4 in the MASCAC.

A three-goal first period for Salem doomed the Owls chances early on with Zach Dill (Lake Tahoe, Calif.) wristing a shot from the top of the slot that floated behind the back of goalie Aiden Winslow (Jacksonville, Fla.) for the first goal of the game at 8:14 of the first period.     

Keagan O'Donoghue (Frisco, Texas), who recorded his 100^th career point after registering a three-point night, put the Vikings up 2-0 when he corralled a loose puck and wrapped a backhander past Winslow with less than five minutes left for a 2-0 opening period lead. Landyn Greatorex (Reading, Mass.) put home a rebound for Salem State's third goal of the frame as Salem State took a 3-0 lead into the first intermission. 

Parry would cut the deficit to two goals midway through the second period, but Salem quickly answered just over two minutes later with James Tatro (Salisbury, Mass.) capitalizing on a Vikings man-advantage goal to up the up the lead back to three goals after two periods.

Westfield crept back into the game due to a fast start in the third period. Daniel Finegan (Chicago, Ill.) found Brett Williams (Easton, Mass.) alone in the left faceoff circle, who scored the Owls' second goal of the game, cutting the deficit to 4-2 two minutes into the third. 

Then with 10:21 left in the game, the Owls trimmed the game to a one-goal deficit after Emile Pichette (Saint-Eustache, Quebec ) set up Christopher Miraldo (Montreal, Quebec) for a breakaway goal on a four-on-four.

Westfield was unable to find the game-tying goal over the remaining ten minutes and were limited to just three shots on goal for the rest of the game. A late penalty thwarted the Owls momentum temporarily, then O'Donoghue secured the win with an empty net goal with 14 seconds left in the game.

Winslow delivered a valiant effort for Westfield, particularly in the third period where he saved 17 shots in the period to give the Owls a pulse. He finished the night with 41 saves in the losing effort. Will Nepveu (Montreal, Quebec) made 34 saves for Salem who outshot the Owls 46-37.

Westfield State will try to get back on track in the final week of the regular season as the Owls host Fitchburg State on Thursday night from Amelia Park Arena at 7:35 P.M.

Portions of recap courtesy of Salem State sports information.