Seahawks Triumph 6-2 Over Vikings in Season Opener

SALEM, Mass. -- Cade Destefani scored twice and added an assist as Salve Regina opened up the 2024-25 men's ice hockey season with a 6-2 victory over Salem State at Rockett Arena on Friday night. The Seahawks are now 1-0 on the year while the Vikings open 0-1.

How it Happened:

• Salve Regina cashed in on two-of-four power play opportunities in the first period to exit with a 3-1 lead. Logan Calder opened the scoring, pushing one through the legs of goalie Will Nepveu for a 1-0 lead at the 9:10 mark. Salem State's Jon Waselko, tied the game just over a minute later, finishing a nice pass from Carson Whitman in the slot for his first collegiate goal. However, Arvega Hovsepyan gave the lead right back to the Seahawks when he caught Nepveu out of the net and laced a shot just inside the post from just beyond faceoff circle. Destefani added Salve Regina'a second power play goal of the period at 17:48, giving the Seahawks a two-goal lead.    
• Carson Whitman drew Salem State to within a goal at 8:24 of the second, putting home a loose puck from the slot for a power play goal that made the score 3-2. Nepveu found his footing in the second period, turning away all 18 Salve shots to keep it a one-score game. 
• However, Destefani put the Seahawks up by two just 2:32 into the third, wrisitng a shot past Nepveu before Aidan Connolly added Saleve Regina's third power play goal of the game at 11:42, making the score 5-2. Matthew Brunton closed the scoring with a shorthanded goal with 1:24 left in the game.

• Cayden Bailey made 29 saves in the victory for the Seahawks. 
• Nepveu stopped 41 shots in the loss. 
• Arvega Hovsepyan had a goal and three assists for Salve Regina while Hoon Kim added a pair of assists.  
• Whitman finished with a goal and assist for the Vikings.    

Up Next:

Salem State will continue their homestand to open the season with a game against Suffolk University, tomorrow, November 2 @ 6:00 pm.