By Richard Tranfaglia
Framingham State dropped another game to Salem State 6-3 on Thursday, Jan 26.
The first period was slow as the only goal scored was by Salem State’s Derek Makimaa at the 15:14 mark to make it 1-0.
The Vikings added to their lead early in the second, scoring two goals in a minute span. Callum Hofford and Parker Stevens each scored their first goal of the season to make it a 3-0 game.
The Rams got on the board about midway through the period after Salem State’s Billy Young got a penalty for tripping. Mark Essery capitalized on the man advantage.
The Vikings ended the period the same way they started, scoring back-to-back goals, this time in a five-minute span. Daniel Campbell scored on a power play goal and Brandon Platt stole the puck in the neutral zone, creating a two-on-none opportunity which resulted in a goal.
The game was 5-1 heading to the third period. Salem State added an insurance goal early in the third when Mackenzie Cook scored on a wrist shot.
Framingham’s comeback was too little too late as they scored two goals in the <nal two minutes of play. The Rams converted on both late power play opportunities getting goals from Jake McKinnon and Cameron Coburn reaching the final margin of score.
Salem State outshot Framingham 54-37. Greg Harney recorded 48 saves for the Rams and Jason Pucciarelli made 32 stops.
The Rams fell to 2-15 on the season and 1-10 in the MASCAC.
Framingham answered early in the second period when Tyler Colacchio scored oL the faceoff cutting the lead to one.
It was all UMass after that as Casey Shea scored two short-handed goals at the 4:02 and the 12:50 marks. Brandon Berkley also tallied a score getting the feed from Steven Leonard.
After going down 5-1, the Rams made a change at goalie, replacing Harney with Adam Calabrese.
The Corsairs added two more goals in the third period. Baldino scored on a power play about halfway through the third and Berkley reached the final margin late in the period with Brendan McDonough and Mason Nichols assisting on the play.
Five of the seven goals scored for the Corsairs were on special teams, going 2-8 on the power play and adding three short-handers.
UMass outshot Framingham 39-35. Harney recorded 19 saves and Calabrese recorded 14 for the Rams. Corsairs’ goalie Drew Michals made 33 saves.
The Rams move to 2-16 on the season and 1-11 in the MASCAC.
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The Rams fell to UMass Dartmouth 7-1 on Jan 28.
Framingham looked to gain momentum early with a power play opportunity but Mike Kelly stole it for Dartmouth with a short-handed goal.
About four minutes later, the Corsairs struck again. This time it was Matt Baldino scoring unassisted to make it a 2-0 game.