#8 Endicott Survives 3-2 Against Salem State

SALEM, Mass. – Hunter Luhmann (Lebanon, N.H.) scored with just over a minute remaining in regulation, allowing #8 Endicott to escape with a 3-2 victory over Salem State in a Monday afternoon match at Rockett Arena.

Despite being outshot 47-23, the Vikings gave the Gulls all they could handle as the matter was not decided until Luhmann corralled a loose puck and fired a shot just underneath the crossbar for the game-winning goal with1:03 remaining.

Endicott (11-3-2) scored less than a minute into the first period after winning the opening faceoff. Daniel Kucerovy (Bethel Park, Pa.) converted on the first shot attempt for the Gulls, beating goalie Sean Cleary (Barnstable, Mass.) for the game's first score.

A turnover by the Gulls deep in their zone led to a put back by Billy Falter (Wilmington, Mass.), who caught goalie Conor O'Brien (Pinellas Park, Fla.) out of position, tying the game 5:49 into the period. However, James Winkler (York, Maine) went top shelf off a rebound, giving Endicott a power play goal and a 2-1 lead with 6:27 remaining on the clock.

Salem State appeared to tie the game in the second period, but the goal was ruled not to have crossed the line and Endicott carried a one-goal game into the third.

Parker Wood (Rochester Hills, Mich.) tied the game at the 9:16 mark of the third for the Vikings.

The Gulls used a strong forecheck to ring up 19 third period shots. Salem State held on, and behind the strong play of Cleary kept Endicott off the scoreboard, which included several outstanding stops by the goalie during a late Endicott power play. The game appeared headed to overtime until Luhmann found the back of the net.

Cleary (4-7-14) made 44 saves in goal while his counterpart O'Brien (7-2-2) stopped 21 shots.