Salem State Shutsout MCLA

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications  

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.-   Erik Larsson (Lake Tahoe, Calif.) and Skylar Miller (Chandler, Ariz.) each scored a goal, giving Salem State a 2-0 shutout over Massachusetts  State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) foe MCLA on Saturday night at Peter W. Foote Vietnam Veterans Memorial Rink. The Vikings boosted their overall record to 4-11,4-7 while the Trailblazers drop to 2-12-1, 0-9-1.    

In the first few minutes of the game, the Vikings were ready to skate from puck drop. Salem State's Larsson scored the first goal of the game and his seventh goal of the season at the 4:05 mark of the period.  Luke Pepin (Lee, N.H.) assisted him on the goal. As the period progressed, the Vikings were determined to increase their lead and continuously put pressure on the Trailblazer's goaltender, Matthew Grover (Atkinson, N.H.).  

At the 10:19 mark of the period, Christopher Gallagher (Albany, N.Y.) of the Trailblazers was sent to the box for interference, granting the Vikings their first power play of the game. After their power play expired  29 seconds later, Salem State received their second power play opportunity. Despite having two power play chances, the Vikings were unable to capitalize on either of them.

As the first period ended, Salem State saw themselves in the lead by a score of 1-0 heading into the second period of regulation.  

In the initial minutes of the second period, both teams found themselves in the penalty box. Luke Day of Salem State was penalized for hooking at the 1:27 mark, while Sean Schifferl (Fort Myers, FL.) of MCLA was penalized for crosschecking at the 3:46 mark. After the power play expired, the Vikings managed to score their second goal of the game, adding to their lead. Pepin found Miller  who shot the puck into the net at the 13:32 mark. 

Throughout the first two periods of regulation, Salem State's goaltender, Hunter Thomas (Schwenksville, PA.) saved all 22 shots in front of him, while Gover of MCLA saved 24 of the 26 shots. The Vikings won 27 of the faceoffs while the Trailblazers won 23.  

As the second period came to an end, Salem State held a comfortable two-goal lead, heading into the final twenty minutes of the game.  

Both teams did not score during the last period of regulation as both goalies did not allow the puck to go inside the net. 

Thomas was perfect saving all 28 shots in recording his first career shutout, while Grover saved 35 of 37 shots. Both teams did not capitalize on their power play, with Salem State going 0 for 5 and MCLA going 0 for 4. In terms of faceoff the Trailblazers won 41 to the Vikings 38.  

Salem State will return on their home ice at the Rockett Arena to take on UMASS Dartmouth this upcoming Thursday, January 18 for a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) game. Puck is scheduled to drop at 7 p.m.