Fitchburg State Sends Vikings Sailing, 5-3

Freshman Brandon Ecklund tallies first collegiate goal

FITCHBURG, Mass. -  Sophomores Michael Fretz and Nick DiNicola scored a pair of power-play goals just 16 seconds apart to propel the Fitchburg State University men's ice hockey team to a 5-3 victory over visiting Salem State University in Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action on Thursday night at the Wallace Civic Center.

The Salem State Vikings dominated possession in the first period. The Vikings finally cashed in on their fourth power play opportunity, with Salem State's freshman Callum Hofford scoring from a slapshot in the slot, good for his third goal of the season. He was assisted by juniors Michael Casale and Daniel Campbell. Salem State's crisp and accurate passing kept Fitchburg State's defense moving, causing the Vikings to double the Falcons shot output 14-7 in the first frame.

Trailing 1-0, Fitchburg State's sophomore Brandon Ecklund knotted his first collegiate goal to tie the score (1-1) just three minutes into the second period. However, Salem State's Michael Casale notched a goal nearly four and half minutes later, his second of the season to give the Vikings a one goal lead. Down two-men with less than five minutes to play in the frame, the green and gold evened the score (2-2) when sophomore Ricky Kramer tallied top-shelf on a shorthanded breakaway. Fitchburg State closed the period with high intensity, bringing the shot deficit down in the second period, outshooting the Vikings 13-8.

In the third period, the Falcons showed their strength, coming out of the break with more speed and strength than their counterpart Vikings, allowing them to break the 2-2 stalemate. The Falcons went up 4-2 with a pair of nifty goals off a five-on-three man advantage. The first goal was netted by sophomore Mike Fretz and assisted by Tyler Warila and Rick Kramer, and the second, just seconds later was registered by Sophomore Nick DiNicola off a cross crease pass from Warila. Three minutes later, junior James Gordon tipped the twine with an insurance marker to extend Fitchburg State's lead to 5-2.

Salem State's senior Brandon Platt scored with a minute remaining for the 5-3 final.

Fitchburg netminder Charles Jakobsson posted 23 saves on the night, earning his second win of the season.

Salem State ended up winning the shot battle 26-25, and converted 3-for-6 on the power-play, while Fitchburg was 2-for-6 with the man advantage.

Fitchburg State (2-3-1, 2-1-1 MASCAC) returns to action on Saturday when they travel to Plymouth State to take on the Panthers at 6 p.m. Salem State (1-3, 1-2 MASCAC) will host the Corsairs of UMass Dartmouth on Saturday for a contest starting at 2 p.m.