#15 Panthers Hold Off Vikings

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications 

Plymouth, N.H. -- Despite Keagan O'Donoghue (Frisco, Texas.) scoring two goals, #15 Plymouth State earned a 4-3 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) win over Salem State, 4-3 on Thursday night at Hanway Rink. The Panthers improve their record to an impressive to 15-1-2, 12-0-2 while the Vikings dropped to 5-13-0, 5-9-0.  

Prior to the game, coach MacInnis expressed what it would take to break Plymouth State's ten-game winning streak. "I think tonight will be a huge test for us, they have been a team that has been on top for a while. That's where we want to be and obviously to get there you have got to beat the best, but we want to make sure we keep things simple. Play our game and not be intimidated. I think our guys had a great week of practice and I think they are ready to go."   

Peyton Hughes (Northridge, Calif.) talked about his preparation heading into tonight's game. "The preparation stays the same like other games , but for this game obviously if you can't get up for it. If you are not excited for it, then something is wrong with you. They have been the best team in the [MASCAC] league for a number of years. He also added the importance of striking first. "Honestly it is huge, last year we had a 3-1 lead after the first then we were up 4-1, but we didn't hold the lead. I think it is very important if we end up getting the first goal immediately."                     

Salem State  arrived at the rink with high energy. The Vikings wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, scoring just nine seconds in.  Erik Larsson (Lake Tahoe, Calif.) made a quick pass to O'Donoghue, who fired a shot into the back of the net, with Larsson and Zach Dill (Lake Tahoe, Calif.) earning assists on the play. 

After the game O'Donoghue talked about the fast start. "I think it comes with just being prepared from the bus, coming into the game prepared. We didn't win the faceoff and our two wingers [Erik] Larsson and [Zach] Dill were on them hard. They caused the turnover, Larsson made a great play, passed back door to me. It's always good to be up early, especially here."    

Plymouth State responded with a sense of urgency. They put pressure on the Vikings' goaltender Hunter Thomas (Schwenksville, Pa.), who had recorded two shutout victories in his previous two starts. Despite the Panthers' efforts, the Vikings managed to hold onto their 1-0 lead for much of the first period. However, the Panthers' Will Redick (Collingwood, Ontario) beat Thomas on a wraparound to even the score. Connor Tait (Boyds, Md.) and Brady Morrison (Chilliwack, British Colombia) were credited with the assists time of the goal 13:56.  

Thomas had a busy period, making 21 saves out of 22 shots on goal, while Kalle Andersson (Taby, Sweden) saved all seven shots he faced. The Vikings were outshot by a large margin, with Plymouth State taking 22 shots compared to Salem State's seven.

After the game coach MacInnis talked about the first period. "We are preaching about playing the game the right way. Playing the game that we want to play. Our guys have been buying into what we are doing. We been getting better every game. We want to play our best hockey at the end of the year and we still have long way to go." 

As the game progressed into the second period, the Vikings became more aggressive on defense, limiting the number of shots that the Panthers could take.  

Coach MacInnis agreed. "A team like Plymouth [State], you have to play good defense. If you have one little break they will take advantage of it and they will score pretty quick. It is something that we stressed on and the guys are buying into, but defense is a mentality, and turning good defense into offense is what we are trying to do…" 

However, the Panthers managed to find an opening when Patrick O'Connell (West Chester, Pa.) took a shot from the left wing, scoring from 15 feet away and beating Thomas. The puck landed on the right side, giving the Panthers a 2-1 lead. The goal was scored at the 7:34 mark of the period, with David Matousek (West Chester, Pa.) and Brett Lockhart  (Braintree, Mass.) credited with the assists. 

Salem State got their first power play when Matt Tartaglio  (Houston, Texas.) went into the box for tripping. However, Christophor Dowd (Danville, N.H.)  soon followed him after going into the box for too many players on the ice. This created a four-on-four situation for fifty seconds before the Panthers went on a five-on-four power play. During the power play, Thomas made an incredible save as the Panthers were attempting their second wraparound goal of the game. 

Dill went into the box for hooking, and Plymouth State took advantage of the power play as Ethan Stuckless (Conception Bay South, Newfoundland.) scored from the left side, giving the Panthers their third goal of the game, at the 12:54 mark. Rider McCallum ( Langley, British Colombia) and Will Rederick (Collingwood, Ontario) were credited with the assists. 

After two periods of regulation, Salem State was trailing by two goals, with Plymouth State leading 3-1. As the game headed towards the final twenty minutes of regulation, the Vikings were looking to make a comeback. 

In the first two periods, Salem State had two power plays but failed to score, while Plymouth State had one power play and scored once. In terms of faceoffs, Plymouth State had 21 wins, while Salem State had 18. Thomas saved 35 of 38 shots, while Anderson managed to save 17 of 18 shots.  

During the opening minutes of the third period, Redick of Plymouth State had a one-on-one opportunity against Thomas of Salem State trying to increase the Panthers' lead. However, Redick's shot went wide, and the Vikings took advantage of the situation. Carson Whitman (Boston, Mass.) was on the left side and found Luke Day (Ottsville, Pa.) on the right side, who beat Anderson with a shot at the 1:14 mark of the period. Whitman was credited with the assist. 

The Vikings, who were eager to tie the game, were not done yet. Whitman passed the puck to Ryan Meagher (Boston, Mass.), who missed a wide shot. Nonetheless, Plymouth State scored another goal when Anton Jelvik scored top shelf at the 5:10 mark, with Stuckless and McCallum providing the assists.    

As the period progressed, Payton Schaly (Orilla, Ontario) of Plymouth State was inches away from extending their lead to three.  

Late in the period, the Vikings had a power play opportunity, and coach MacInnis called a timeout at the 4:56 mark before the start of the power play. However, they couldn't take advantage. Despite that, the Vikings added another goal to their tally when O'Donoghue netted his second goal of the game at the 18:51 mark, with assists from Landyn Greatorex (Reading, Mass.) and Dill. 

Salem State went 0 for 3 during their power play, while Plymouth State went 1 for 2. In terms of faceoffs, the Panthers had the advantage, winning 39 faceoffs compared to the Vikings' 22. 

Salem State will look to bounce back this Saturday evening, January 27, when the Vikings will conclude their three-game road trip. They are set to take on Westfield State for a Massachusetts State Athletic Collegiate Conference (MASCAC) contest. The game is scheduled for 5:35 p.m.