Owls Three Third Period Goals Stun Vikings

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications 

SALEM, Mass. -- Luca Marini (Lighthouse Point, Fla.) scored twice and added an assist to give Westfield State a 6-3 Massachusetts State Athletic Conference (MASCAC) victory over Salem State on Thursday night at the Rockett Arena. The Owls boost their overall record to 8-3-1, 5-2-1 while the Vikings drop to 3-8,3-5.   

The game began with both teams displaying a strong forecheck. Chris Dowd (Danville, N.H.)  positioned on the left side of the net, managed to outsmart goalie Valtteri Valtonen (Helsinki, Finland) by sliding the puck between his legs, giving the Vikings an early 1-0 lead. Skylar Miller (Chandler, Arizona)  and Zach Dill (Lake Tahoe, Calif.) were credited with the assisst. The goal was scored at the 7:21 mark of the first period. 

Westfield was quick to respond and attempted to even the score at one, but their efforts were thwarted by the exceptional performance of  Vikings' freshman netminder Will Nepveu (Montreal, Quebec), who denied the Owls an opportunity to score on a wrap-around. Luke Day (Ottsville, Pa.), eager to extend the Vikings' lead, took a shot from the rebound, but Valtonen managed to block it on the right side. 

Westfield managed to tie the game in the first thanks to Julian Boisclair (Voorhees, N.J.),  who scored from the right side. with the assistance of Cooper Board (Salem, Mass.) and Emile Pichette (Saint-Eustache, Quebec.).

The Vikings found themselves with a powerplay late in the first period, and captain Luke Pepin (Lee, N.H.) almost got the lead as he came inches away from scoring top shelf during the final seconds of the period. 

Salem State had a power play for the first 46 second to begin the second period,  but unfortunately, they couldn't capitalize on it. However, a few minutes later, Erick Larsson (Lake Tahoe, Calif.)  found Day from about 25 feet from the net, and he scored, causing Salem State's bench to erupt in celebration. Larsson and Pepin were credited with the assists, and the goal was scored at 3:27. 

Westfield State took advantage of a power play and scored a goal when Emile Pichette (Saint- Eustache Quebec) shot one into the net, after a rebound. Marini and Daniel Finegan (Chicago, Ill.) were credited with the assists, and the goal was scored at 9:07. 

Salem State found themselves on a three-on-two two breakaway and did not disappoint when Carson Whiteman (Boston, Mass.) put one beneath the crossbar, beating Valtonen, who was looking for a glove save. Rafael Praysner (Allen, Texas.)  and Keegan O'Donoughue (Frisco, Texas.) were credited with the assists, and the goal was scored at 14:12 in the period. 

The Owls managed to tie the game when Ryan O'Halloran (Burlington, Mass.) scored shelf right after the faceoff, with Colin Roe (Hyde Park, Mass.) earning the assist. This goal was scored at 18:41 in the period.

During the first two periods, the Owls had only one power play opportunity, which they were able to take advantage of and score, while the Vikings had one power play but were unable to score. Goalies Nepveu and Valtonen were both playing well with Nepveu saving 27 of 30 shots and Valtonen saving 20 of 23 shots. 

The first few seconds of the final period, Nepveu made an incredible save that prevented the Owls from scoring, but Marini was able to take advantage of a gap on the right side of the net and score, with Pichette being credited with the assist. Time of the goal 21 seconds into the period.  The Vikings were eager to tie the game and put enormous pressure on the Owls' goaltender Valtonen, but despite shooting chancesl, they were unable to score.  

A few minutes later, Whitman also attempted to tie the game, but unfortunately, the puck hit the crossbar. The Owls took advantage of this and managed to score their second goal of the period, with Marini scoring his second goal of the game, and Pichette again credited with the assist at 11:55. The Owls had their third power play, but despite their best efforts, the Vikings were able to kill it off. However, the Owls managed to score one more on an empty netter, securing their 6-3 victory. 

Nepveu managed to save 38 of 43 shots while Valtonen saved 30 of 33 shots.

Salem State looking to bounce back on Saturday afternoon as they will face Fitchburg State away for a Massachusetts State Athletic Conference (MASCAC). Game time is at 5 p.m.