Rams Best Vikings In Season Opener

EAST BOSTON, Mass. -- Five different players scored for Salem State, but it was not enough as the Vikings lost their season opener to Suffolk University, 7-5 in the season opener for both squads on Saturday afternoon. Landyn Greatorex had a goal and an assist for Salem State, which is now 0-1.

Suffolk (1-0) jumped on top early 1-0 on a goal by Joe O'Brien just :22 seconds into the game. Salem State responded with back-to-back goals, a power play score by Mitch Wilkie and later an even strenghth goal by Christopher Dowd just :43 seconds apart. PJ Donahue evened the game at 2-all for Suffolk as the game went into the first intermission tied 2-2.

The Rams opened the game up in the second, scoring four unanswered goals in a six and a half minute span. Devin Lowe and Carter Schram potted scores before Cody Sealey and Daniel McKiernan capped the scoring run. Greatorex got one back for the Vikings on an assist form Erik Larsson, with twenty nine seconds left on the clock as the Vikings exited the period trailing 6-3. 

Carson Whitman scored a shorthanded goal to start a Salem State comeback in the third. Luke Day's unassisted goal at 14:55 made it a one-goal game. The Vikings kept the deficit at one score, but Schram sealed the win with an empty-netter with :11 seconds remaining as Suffolk held on to win 7-5.

Aaron Mercer made 31 saves for the Vikings while Kannon Flageolle stopped 35 shots in net for the Rams, who were outshot 40-38.