Falcons Triumph 4-2 Over Salem State

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications  

FITCHBURG, Mass. -- Micheal Imala (Oak Lawn, IL) scored a goal and had an assist to give Fitchburg State a 4-2 Massachusetts State Athletic Conference (MASCAC) victory over Salem State on Saturday evening at Wallace Civic Center. The Falcons raise their record to 7-3-2, 6-1-2 while the Vikings go to 3-9, 3-6.  

In the opening ten minutes of the game, Salem State's Christopher Dowd (Danville, N.H.) showcased his exceptional skills by netting his fifth goal of the season, beating Falcons goaltender Max Macchioni (North Kingstown, R.I). Carson James (Falmouth, Maine) and Ryan Meagher (Boston, Mass.) were credited with the assists. However, Rafael Praysner's (Allen, Texas.) hooking penalty landed him in the penalty box at the 19:16 mark of the period.  

The Falcons didn't waste any time and capitalized on the power play, tying the game at one with a goal from Toivo Kramer beating Vikings goaltender Aaron Mercer (Corner Brook, Newfoundland). Antoine Gignac (Quebec City, Que.)  was credited with the assist, and it was Kramer's third goal of the season. 

In the second period, the Falcons came out ready to skate and scored their second goal just 2:55 into the period. Jeremy Maillet (Leominster, Mass.) was the scorer, and Imala and Samuel Rennick (Sailbury, Mass.) were credited with the assists. The Falcons continued their dominance and extended their lead over Salem State when Imala scored his sixth goal of the season. Rennick and Isaiah McKinney (Nashua, N.H.) were credited with the assists.  

The Vikings answered back late in the period when Erik Larsson (Lake Tahoe, Calif.) scored with an assist from Luke Day (Ottsville, Pa.) to cut the Falcons' lead to one. The time of the goal was 17:28 in the period. Fitchburg was one for three on their power play, and the Vikings were not able to capitalize on their first two power play chances.  

Fitchburg won 27 faceoffs compared to Salem State's 20. Mercer managed to save 22 of 25 shots on goal, while Macchioni saved 18 of 20 shots during the first two periods of regulation.  

In the final twenty minutes of the game, the Vikings struggled to score. This gave the Falcons an opportunity to capitalize and increase their lead with an empty netter, scored by Oliver Cookson (Sheffield, Mass.) at 19:36, his second goal of the season which was assisted by Toivo Kramer (New York, N.Y.). 

Macchioni made 23 saves out of 25 shots while Mercer saved 35 out of 38 shots on goal. Salem State had a power play opportunity three times but unfortunately, they failed to convert any of them into goals, going 0 for 3 (.000). Meanwhile, Fitchburg State managed to score on one of their four power play opportunities, going 1 for 4 (.250). 

Salem State will be back in action on Tuesday night, when they return to home ice to battle against their Northshore rivals, the Endicott Gulls. Game time is at 7 p.m. at the Rockett Arena.