BOSTON – In its first semester finale, the Suffolk men's hockey team came back from a four-goal deficit and forced overtime versus Salem State. During the extra session the Rams could not find the back and held off the Vikings to end the non-league game in a 4-4 stalemate Thursday evening at Rockett Ice Arena.
THE BASICS
Score: Suffolk 4, Salem State 4
RECORDS: Suffolk (3-7-4) | Salem State (4-4-2)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Salem State wasted not time to gain an advantage as it got on the scoreboard just 1:25 into the contest and again at the midway point of the first frame to take a 2-0 advantage into the first intermission.
In the second stanza, the Vikings put away two more goals in over a 2:24 span to push its lead to four. The Rams retaliated and did so in thrilling fashion. Sean Henry got things going, putting the Rams on the scoreboard with a powerplay goal at 14:29 in the second thanks to setups from Justin Holliday and Danyil Medvedev. Just 2:13 later, Connor Parent cut the gap to just two, also wiht a man-up advantage, as the sophomore found the back of the net thanks to assists by Medvedev and Bishop.
Trailing 4-2 entering the final period of regulation, Jack Jenkins made it a one-goal game at the 5:26 mark. Brett Lawson and Stanton Turner each had a hand in the goal. As time was winding down, Turner locked things at 4-all with the Rams' third power play goal of the night as Lawson and Shayne Bailey assisted on the game-tying goal.
Neither team was able to pot the go-ahead goal with Kevin Venturoso, who replaced Will Ribas after the Vikings' fourth goal, turning aside four Vikings' attempt to force the extra session.
The freshman netminder secured the tie, making eight stops, all of which were on the penalty kill.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- Salem State held a slim edge in shots, 39-37.
- Suffolk, meanwhile, grabbed 33 face-offs compared to the Vikings' 22.
- Three different Rams finished the night with two points in Turner (1-1-2), Lawson (0-2-2) and Medvedev (0-2-2). Sean Henry, Parent and Jenkins each had one goal apiece with Holliday and Bailey each dishing out one handout.
KEEPING UP WITH THE KEEPERS
- Ribas made 16 saves for his first collegiate decision.
- Venturoso earned the decision in a relief effort with 19 stop-performance.
- Jason Pucciarelli set aside 33 shots for Salem State's second straight draw.
NOTEABLES
- Suffolk skated to its first-ever tie versus the Vikings in the all-time series which dates back to 2014 and Salem State leads, 2-0-1.
- Ribas made his first collegiate start in between the pipes for the Rams.
POST-GAME PIC
UP NEXT
Suffolk takes nearly a month away from action as the Rams take a break for the holidays and will return to action after the New Year when they welcome Franklin Pierce to Emmons Horrigan O'Neil Memorial Rink Saturday, Jan. 7. Game time is set to begin at 7:30 p.m.