Lancers Top Vikings 5-2

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications 

SALEM, Mass. -- Martin Dlugolinsky (Stara Lubvona, Slovakia) posted a goal and two assists to lead Worcester State to a 5-2 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) victory over Salem State on Thursday night at Rockett Arena. The Lancers boost their record to 2-5, 2-4 while the Vikings drop to 3-5,3-3. 

Salem State started the game off strong, culminating in a power play goal by Keagan O'Donoghue (Frisco, Texas), who was in prime position on the left side of the net, set up by teammates Erik Larsson (Lake Tahoe, Calif.) and Jake Stapert (Flemington, N.J.) at the 5:33 mark of the first period. 

Salem State continued to push hard and had several opportunities to widen their lead, with Stapert making a valiant effort from the left side of the net during a five-on-four power play, only to be denied by the Lancers' goalie Jakub Kubik (Uherske Hradiste, Czech Republic) who made a great save. 

Late in the first period, Worcester State finally had their first power play chance, but they could not capitalize on the opportunity. Despite outplaying Worcester State for much of the period, Salem State only held a 1-0 lead.

The Lancers came out of the gates strong at the start of the second period as they relentlessly attacked the Vikings' zone. Their efforts paid off as Christian Phinney (Darper, Utah.) found the back of the net within the first 40 seconds of the period with the help of Anders Grongstad (Royal Oak, Michegan)  and Martin Dlugolinsky (Stara Lubvona, Slovakia (Poprad), who provided the assists. 

Later, Worcester State had a slight advantage as they were on a five-on-four power play. However, the Vikings' Luke Day (Ottsville, Pa.) had other plans as he charged towards the net on a breakaway, facing only the goalie in a one-on-one situation. Positioned on the left side of the net, he cleverly shifted his movement to the right and scored a short-handed goal at the 6:25 mark of the game.

The Lancers managed to tie the score at two when Matthew Kowal (Monson, Mass.) passed the puck to Brian Clougherty (Lynn Mass.), who scored at the 14:09 mark. Worcester State then scored a power play goal just a few minutes later to take the lead. Dlugolinsky was credited with the goal, which was scored at the 16:42 mark of the second period. 

Late into the period, Salem State had a power play opportunity, but Worcester State managed to kill it off. Aaron Mercer (Corner Brook, Newfoundland) made 23 saves out of 26 shots faced in the first two periods, while Lancers' goaltender Jakub Kubik (Uherske Hradiste, Czech Republic) made 28 saves out of 30 shots. 

In the final twenty minutes of regulation, the Vikings' Carson Whitman (Boston, Mass.) came close to tying the game just four minutes into the period, but missed the chance. 

Salem State's Christopher Dowd (Danville, N.H.) also had a power play opportunity and saw an opening on the left side of the net, but Lancers' goaltender, Kubik, made a nice save to limit the Vikings' bid late in the period. 

With only 15:13 remaining on the clock, Maxwell Tucker scored an insurance goal assisted by Anders Grongstad (Royal Oak, Michigan) and Dlugolinsky. The Lancers added one more to their tally when Brendan Ronan (Saugus, Mass.) scored from inside the blue line to seal the deal and was assisted by Shane Prifrel (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) and Brigham Neuhold (Edmond,Oak.). 

Kubik saved 43 of 45 shots while Mercer saved 35 of 40 shots. Both teams struggled on power play opportunities with Salem going 1 for 6 (.167) and Worcester State 1 for 4 (.250).