WORCESTER, Mass. — Marcuz Zelzer (Green Bay, WI) led the Salem State Vikings to a 7-0 shutout over the Worcester State Lancers Saturday night at the Hart Center as he registered a 20-save performance.
The Vikings opened up the scoring early with a tip-in-goal from John Needham (Medford, Mass) at 2:50 of the first period. About seven minutes later, Salem State would extend the lead after Daniel Campbell (Waterloo, Ont.) took advantage of a three-on-two break and buried the one timer glove side and gave Salem a 2-0 lead. At 11:29 of the first period Salem would strike again with another tip-in-goal. Dan Holland (Woburn, Mass) was screening Worcester State goaltender, Max Kirkwood (Brunswick, OH), and was able to redirect the slap shot past the blocker and go into the intermission with a 3-0 lead.
The Lancers opened up the second period by attacking Salem State and forcing multiple turnovers but could not seem to take advantage of goal scoring opportunities. About seven minutes into the period, the Vikings would turn the momentum back to their side and extend their lead moments later. At 8:41 Cam Moniz (Seekonk, Mass) scored the fourth goal for Salem with shot through Kirkwood's five-hole to tally his second point on the night. About four minutes later, Mackenzie Cook (Reading, Mass) would add another goal for Salem State and extend the lead to 5-0 going into the third period.
The third period had two power play goals, both from Salem State. Ryan Wilkerson (Burlington, Ont) at 2:44 of the third period netted the first power play goal of the night less than 20 seconds in to the man advantage. Just over five minutes later Casey Miller (Billerica, Mass) scored the second power play goal of the night for the Vikings, which would be the seventh and last goal of the game.
Kirkwood was handed the loss and allowed five goals on 27 shots. The loss gives Kirkwood a 2-11-1 overall record on the season. Tyler Fallica (Coram, NY) came in to relieve Kirkwood in the second period and allowed two goals on 13 shots.
Miller led the Vikings with three points on the night as he was credited with a goal and three assists.
The Lancers after the loss are now 4-13-1 (1-10-1 MASCAC) on the season. The win improves Salem State to 14-5 (10-2 MASCAC) on the season.
The Lancers are back in action Thursday (Feb. 4) against UMass-Dartmouth for an 8:30 p.m. puck drop at the Hart Center on the Campus of the College of the Holy Cross. The Vikings next match up is Thursday at Westfield State University.
Release written by Connor Haynes, Sports Information Intern