BOSTON – With 5:59 remaining in regulation, Joseph Mortillaro lit the lamp to level the playing field and force overtime, but neither team put away the puck in the extra session as the non-conference contest between Suffolk men's hockey and Salem State ended in a 2-2 tie Wednesday night at Emmons Horrigan O'Neil Memorial Rink.
THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 2, Salem State 2
RECORDS: Suffolk (6-6-2) | Salem State (5-6-1)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Salem State struck halfway through the first period. As Suffolk successfully killed a penalty and the teams returned to even strength, Derek Makimma scored thanks to help from Ryan Wilkinson and Trey Olson to give the Vikings a 1-0 edge after the first 20 minutes.
Both teams struck over the second stanza with Mikhail Bryan leveling the playing field at the 7:30 minute mark. Bryan was assisted by classmate Tommy Bishop. Just 1:16 before the second intermission, Michael Casale ensured the advantage once against for the visiting Vikings as Dan Holland fed the forward to make it a 2-1 Salem State contest.
Determined for the comeback, persistence paid off as the Rams peppered SSU goalie Jason Pucciareli with Mortillaro putting away a rebound after nearly 10 shots to lock the game at 2-all.
Down the stretch Suffolk kept on the pressure, but could not capitalize. On the defensive end of the ice, the Rams stood tall behind Michael Levine in net to keep the Vikings off the scoreboard.
KEEPING UP WITH THE KEEPERS
- Levine made 36 stops in the tie.
- Pucciarelli faced 50 shots in between the pipes and turned aside 48 attempts.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- Bryan and Mortillaro each scored one goal apiece for Suffolk with Bishop and Brendan Heinze each dishing out one assist.
- Five Vikings notched one point on the night with Makimma and Casale striking once each. Wilkinson, Olson and Holland all handed out one helper.
NOTEWORTHY
- Suffolk and Salem State skated to a stalemate for the second straight season and second time in the all-time series.
- Bryan has now scored at least one goal in the last three contests.
POST-GAME PIC
COMING UP
Suffolk is back on the ice at Emmons Horrigan O'Neil Memorial Rink Saturday, Jan. 6 when it takes on Franklin Pierce at 7:30 p.m.
