Rams Stop Vikings In MASCAC Opener

SALEM, Mass. – Cameron Lindsay (Coatesville, Pa.) and Sam Larkin (Douglas, Mass.) scored third period goals as Framingham State skated to a 4-2 victory in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) opener for both squads on Thursday evening at Rockett Arena. The Rams improve to 2-0 on the season and 0-1 in the MASCAC. The Vikings dip to 0-2 and 0-1 in conference. 

The two teams played through a scoreless first with each squad registering one penalty apiece in the period. Salem State held a 15-10 advantage in shots, with Framingham State's Luca Olivo (Marlton, N.J.) sweeping away a loose puck in the crease, denying the Vikings of their best scoring chance.

Goalie Blake Carlson (Clermont, Fla.) denied Connor Woolley (Poghquag, N.Y.) on a shorthanded breakaway to begin the second to keep the game scoreless. However, Christopher Dowd (Danville, N.H.) added his first career goal on a Rams' power-play to put Salem State up 1-0 just 1:24 into the period.

A turnover by the Vikings setup Framingham State for the equalizer at the 6:49 mark as Johnny Baker (Newton, Mass.) tapped home a rebound to knot the game at 1-1.

Baker narrowly missed giving the Rams the lead as his shot hit the post on a power-play opportunity midway through the second.  A backhand by Luke Day (Ottsville, Pa.) on a breakaway regained the lead for the Vikings with less than four minutes left in the second, but Ashton Collazo (Victor, N.Y.) added a power-play goal at 17:24 for the Rams to even the game heading into the third period.

Framingham State took control of the game in the third as the Vikings began to pile up penalty minutes. Lindsay gave the Rams the lead at 3-2 at 12:32 before Larkin iced the game at the 17:56 mark. The Rams outshot Salem State 19-8 in the period.

Carlson earned the win stopping 36-of-38 shots. Hunter Thomas (Schwenksville, Pa.) made 42 saves for the Vikings in his first career start.