Falcons Salvage Tie With Vikings

SALEM, Mass. - Anthony Ceolin (Simsbury, Conn.) scored the game-tying goal with 35 seconds left in the third period as the Fitchburg State Falcons salvaged a 3-3 draw with the Salem State Vikings on Thursday night at Richard H. Rockett Arena in MASCAC action. Ceolin had an assist to go along with his goal for the night. The Falcons' now have a record of 11-7-3 on the season and 8-3-3 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference. The Vikings are currently 4-12-5 on the year and 4-7-3 in the MASCAC.

Ryan Murphy's (Wayzata, Minn.) goal put the Falcons on the board first at 11:55 of the first period. Ceolin and Christopher Vicario (Cranston, R.I.) battled for the puck, but Murphy managed to tip in the loose puck on the left side of the net to make it a 1-0 game.

Michael Shippee (Seattle, Wash.) tied the score 1-1 for the Vikings with 3:01 left in the first period. Spencer DeRidder (Rochester NY) made a slick pass through the legs of Jordin Holmes (Willow Grove, Penn.) to a trailing Shippee, who shot it high into the net.

Later, Luke Pepin (Lee, NH) passed it inside to Dan Shea (Hingham, Mass.) who shot it towards the right side of the net to give Salem State a 2-1 lead 10:34 into the second period. The goal came off of a power play after Brian Glover (Baldwinville, Mass.) was called for hooking.

Trailing, 2-1 in the third the Falcons tied the game 5:24 into the period, Vicario raced up the ice and shot it as the puck deflected off the post and into the net to even the game again at 2-2.

However, a couple of minutes later, Salem State reclaimed the lead as Pepin attempted a wrist shot and DeRidder directed the puck in for a Vikings' goal. Salem State took a 3-2 lead with 12:52 left in the third period.

It was Ceolin who came through for the Falcons, scoring with 35 seconds left to force overtime after Fitchburg State pulled their goalie to give the visitors a six on five advantage.

The Vikings finished the game with 31 shot attempts while the Falcons took 29 shots.  

Sean Cleary (Barnstable, Mass.) ended the game conceding three goals while making 26 saves. Brian McGrath (Worcester, Mass.) finished with three goals allowed and 26 saves.