Men's Ice Hockey, Worcester State Play to 1-1 Stalemate; Vikings Earn Extra Points in Shootout

THE BASICS 
Salem State, 1 at Worcester State, 1 (Salem wins in penalty shootout, 2-1)

Records: 
Worcester State University Lancers (2-0-1, 0-0-1 MASCAC)
Salem State University Vikings (1-1-1, 0-0-1 MASCAC)

Location: Worcester, Mass. - Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center

Date: Thursday, November 6, 2025

THE LEAD—  The Salem State men's ice hockey team tied Worcester State, 1-1, on Thursday night in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action at the Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center. However, the Vikings grabbed an extra two points in the standings by winning the shootout, 2-1.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After a hard-fought scoreless first period, Salem broke the scoreless tie a little over halfway through the second (11:50). Jon Waselko (Powell, Ohio) found an open Cam Strykowski (Pine City, N.Y.) thanks to a nifty pass, which allowed Strykowski to put his shot past Lancers goalie, Donovan Alfama. 
• However, nearly three minutes later (14:37), Worcester State took advantage of a power-play opportunity and evened the contest at one. After being set up by passes from Myles Kidd and Shane Prifrel, Michael Schaaf found an opening and sent his shot into the back of the net. 
• Throughout the third, Salem had multiple looks for the game-winner as the squad peppered Alfama with 13 shots, including a stretch where Christopher Dowd (Danville, N.H.) fired back-to-back shots on net but was turned away each time by Alfama. Worcester also had its fair chances for the go-ahead goal when the hosts fired six-straight shots at Will Nepveu (Montreal, Quebec), but were stonewalled each time by the junior netminder.
• In the overtime period, Worcester had its best look when Prifrel fired a shot on net that deflected off the post and kept the contest tied at one. However, thanks to strong defense and goaltending, Salem kept Worcester in check the rest of overtime, and both sides went to a shootout.
• In the shootout, Declan Loughnane (Milton, Mass.) and Landyn Greatorex (Reading, Mass.) both scored goals for the Vikings while goalie Hunter Thomas (Schwenksville, Pa.) stopped four of the five Lancers' shots and secured the extra point in the standings.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Strykowski netted his first goal of the season and career. 
• In net, Nepveu and Thomas split time between the pipes for Salem. Nepveu led the way with 55:28 of action, stopping a season-high 39 shots. Meanwhile, Thomas played 09:32 and made six stops on the night.
• For the Lancers, Alfama made 45 saves in 65:00. 
• Salem has now extended its unbeaten streak over Worcester to three games (2-0-1). 

UP NEXT

• Salem State returns home on Tuesday, November 11, when the squad takes on Division II member Franklin Pierce at 7:00 p.m.

Photo Credit: Lilly Nunez'25