Falcons Soar Past Vikings, 5-1

Salem Mass. – The Fitchburg State ice hockey team defeated the Vikings of Salem State University, 5-1 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action this evening from the Rockett Ice Arena.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 5, Salem State 1
Records: Fitchburg State (11-10-2, 8-6-2 MASCAC) | Salem State (7-16-1, 6-11-0 MASCAC)

How It Happened

Following a scoreless opening period, Fitchburg State took the lead 6:41 into the second period when junior Kyle Hillick (Byfield, Mass.) collected a feed from senior forward Brandon Ecklund (Fitchburg, Mass.) and struck for his eighth tally on the season for the 1-0 advantage.

The Falcons quickly doubled their margin (2-0) minutes later as junior Christopher Vicario (Cranston, R.I.) connected on the power-play for his sixth score of the year off assists from seniors Ricky Kramer (Barnstead, N.H.) and Nick DiNicola (Wolcott, Conn.).

The Green and Gold tacked on another score roughly nine minutes into the middle stanza when junior Dean Zerby (Harrisburg, Penn.) gathered a pass from classmate Joshua Suboyu (Bradley Beach, N.J.) and senior Patrick Germain (Auburn, Mass.) and found the back of the net for his second marker of the 2018-19 campaign.

Salem State cut the deficit to 3-1 at the 5:16 mark of the third period as freshman Billy Falter (Wilmington, Mass.) connected on his sixth goal of the season, but Fitchburg State secured the victory later in the frame when Kramer netted his tenth tally on the year, resulting in the 5-1 final.

By the Numbers

• Vicario registered two goals for the Falcons
• 54th meeting between two schools with Falcons 12-36-6 all-time vs the Vikings
• Fitchburg State held a slim 25-24 margin in shots
• Salem State went 1-for-4 with the man advantage
• Sophomore Brian McGrath (Worcester, Mass.) stopped 23 shots for the Falcons
• Junior Sean Cleary (Barnstable, Mass.) made 20 saves for the Vikings

Up Next

Falcons will host the Owls of Westfield State University on Saturday for a MASCAC clash, starting at 5:00 PM. Vikings will travel to Framingham State on Tuesday for a conference tilt at 7:40 PM.