Vikings' Rally Comes Up Short

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications 

SALEM, Mass.-  Brent Rickett (Portland, Maine) scored a hat-trick and had an assist to give Johnson and Wales (RI) a 6-4 victory over Salem State on Tuesday night at Rockett Arena. The Wildcats boosted their overall record to  2-7-1 while the Vikings dropped five straight as their record know stands 3-7.   

Salem State honored former head men's ice hockey coach Bill O'Neill in a puck drop ceremony before the game, celebrating his 42-year coaching career at Salem State. 

During the early minutes of the game, Salem State had a power play opportunity but failed to capitalize on it. As the period progressed, Salem State started putting pressure on the Wildcats' goaltender, Jacob Perrin (Chelmsford, Mass.). However, it was Johnson & Wales who scored first when the puck popped up and landed in the crease, and Brendan Doyle (Stratham, N.H.) shot it inside the net. Cam Martin (Georgetown, Mass.) was credited with the assist. 

The Vikings managed to capitalize on a turnover by Joe Freeman (Milton, Mass.), and Cristopher Dowd (Danville, N.H.) found himself one-on-one with the goalie, beating Perrin to to tie the game at one. The time of the goal was 13:43 during the period. During the first period, Vikings' Dean Hahn (Lancaster, N.Y.)  made some unbelievable tough saves that kept the game even. 

Johnson & Wales managed to retake the lead late during the first period when Chris Alexander (Los Angeles, Calif.)  passed the puck to Rickett, who scored between Hahn's legs. The time of the goal was 18:01 during the period. Salem State found themselves down by a goal heading into the second period, as both teams combined for 31 shots on goal.  

During the second period of the game, 48 seconds after the start, Chase Conlon (Anchorage, Alaska) of the Vikings was sent to the penalty box. The Wildcats took advantage of this opportunity and scored a goal on the powe rplay, with Freeman finding the back of the net at the 1:13 mark of the period. Johnson and Wales continued to put pressure on the Vikings' zone, resulting in Cam Martin (Georgetown, Mass.) scoring the fourth goal of the game for the Wildcats, assisted by Brad Crook  (Elmhurst, Ill.) and Brendan Doyle (Stratham, N.H.), at the 7:08 mark of the period. 

Although Salem State responded quickly with Erik Larsson (Lake Tahoe, Calif.) scoring a goal at the 8:26 mark of the period, cutting the deficit to two, Johnson and Wales remained aggressive and dominated the period. Rickett's full speed was too much for the Vikings' as he slipped a shot past Hahn into the net, making the score 4-2. 

However, the Vikings took advantage of a 5 and 4 power play opportunity and scored their third goal of the game when Mitch Wilkie (Calgary, Alberta.)  scored top shelf from the right side of the net, assisted by Landyn Greatorex (Reading, Mass.) and  Dowd, at the 15:43 mark of the period. The Vikings showed some life two minutes and seven seconds later when Rafael Praysner (Allen, Texas.) scored from 15 feet from the left side of the net, with Carson James (Falmouth, Maine.) and Peyton Hughes (Northridge, Calif.)  getting credit for the assists.  

Throughout the first two periods, Hahn saved 27 of 32 shots on goal, while Perrin saved 23 of 27 shots. Both teams had an equal amount of faceoff wins, with 24 each. Both teams were 1 for 2 on their power play opportunities. 

As the last period of regulation approached, the Vikings found themselves down by a goal. 

During the third period Keagan O'Donoghue (Frisco, Texas) was penalized for slashing early on in the period. 29 seconds later, Freeman was also sent to the box, resulting in both teams having only four players on the ice.  However, neither team was able to take advantage of this situation. 

The Wildcats extended their lead when Brendan  Shandley (Norfolk, Mass.) scored, assisted by Rickett and Carter Elrod (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) with the time of the goal coming at 12:30. Later on, Carson Whitman (Boston, Mass.) passed the puck to Ethan Demumbrum (Brentwood, Teen.), but Perrin denied the shot. Salem State dominated Johnson and Wales in the Wildcats' zone during the final five minutes of the game, but unfortunately they were unable to score, and the Wildcats held on to the victory.  

Hahn saved 37 of 43 shots, while Perrin saved 39 of 43 shots. Both teams went 1 for 3 on their power play opportunities. 

The Vikings' next game will be on January 4th, when they will host a MASCAC game against Westfield State.