SALEM – Callum Hofford (Woodbridge, Ontario) netted two goals as Salem State defeated Westfield State 5-2 in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) matchup on Saturday afternoon at Rockett Arena. The Vikings even their record at 6-6-1 and go to 3-4 in the MASCCAC while the Owls slip to 3-7-1 and 1-6 in conference.
Adam Blackman’s goal helped Westfield cut into Salem’s lead in a 5-2 loss. (Courtesy of WSU Sports)
Salem State’s Derek Makimaa (Swartz Creek, Mich.) broke the ice with his seventh goal of the season, a slap shot from the left face-off circle that beat Kameron Limburg (Howell, Mich.) at 6:54 of the first. Limburg made a great save later in the period to keep the deficit at one goal as he denied Eric Rogorzenski (Barnstable, Mass.), from point-blank range. Westfield State’s Danny Ferri (Chelmsford, Mass.) nearly tied the game with 4:00 minutes remaining in the first, but Jason Pucciarelli (Newmarket, Ontario) made a spectacular save for the Vikings. A late penalty set up Hofford, who trickled in a shot through the legs of Limburg on the power play, with just eight seconds remaining in the period as the Vikings entered the first intermission with a 2-0 lead.
Hofford’s wrister from the blue line made it 3-0 in favor of Salem State 6:32 into the second. Casey Miller (Billerica, Mass.) made it 4-0 when he beat Limburg glove side after creating a turnover near center ice later in the period.
Bryan Holmberg (Indian Trail, N.C.) replaced Limburg in goal to start the third for Westfield State. The Owls quickly cut into the lead as Robert Neuwirth (Zlin, Czech Republic) rifled home a shot just twenty-eight seconds into the period. Adam Blackman (Mansfield, Mass.) drew Westfield State closer when he beat Pucciarelli glove side to make the score 4-2 with less than eight minutes remaining. However, with Holmberg pulled, Parker Wood (Rochester Hills, Mich.) put the game out of reach for Salem State with an empty-netter with just over two minutes remaining.
Pucciarelli made 38 saves for Salem State in the win while Limburg stopped 17 in two periods. Holmberg played well in relief, stopping all nine Vikings’ shots in the third. The Owls outshot Salem State 40-31 for the game. – Courtesy of Westfield State University Sports
