SALEM – Coming off its second Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Championship and NCAA Tournament bid in the past three years, head coach Bill O’Neill begins this season with the same objective as each of his 35 previous campaigns: to play for the conference championship. “We are looking to continue to build on last season’s success as a strong core group of players return. We have added some talented newcomers who should make an immediate impact as we look forward to defending our MASCAC title.”
The Vikings had a highly successful 2015-16 season, winning 20 games (22-6) for the sixth time in coach O’Neill’s tenure and defeating Plymouth State in the conference championship game before losing to Williams in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Although picked second in this year’s MASCAC preseason poll, behind familiar rival Plymouth State, Salem State is poised for another championship run.
Salem State will be led by returning senior All-American goaltender Marcus Zelzer, who put together one of the finest season’s in goal in the history of Salem State hockey. The MASCAC Player of the Year and finalist for the Joe Concannon and Sid Watson award’s, put together a nation’s best 17-game winning streak and finished the year with an 18-2 record between the pipes for the Vikings. He co-led the nation with five shutouts and was amongst the leaders in goals-against average (2.04) and save percentage (.924).
Assistant captain, and all-conference defenseman Brad Jones returns for his senior campaign after spearheading the Vikings’ defense a year ago. The Joe Concannon finalist was third in the league in points amongst defenseman with 18 for Salem State while leading a defensive unit that topped the MASCAC in allowing just 1.75 goals per game in conference.
All-conference forward Brandon Platt will join junior captain Michael Casale to lead a deep and explosive offense, which topped the MASCAC with a 4.85 goals per game average, more than a goal better than Plymouth State, which finished second. Platt, who tied for top conference scoring honors last season with 28 points, led the MASCAC with 21 assists to go along with seven goals. Casale, will look to build off his dynamic sophomore season in which he finished fifth on Salem State’s scoring list with 23 points, including 16 goals.
This year’s newcomers, who will compete for playing time include, defensemen Cal Hofford , Evan Bennett and forwards Brandon Wolfe, Eric Rogorzenski, and Connor Irving.
The Vikings will be a deep and talented squad who will look to surpass last season’s win total. With veteran leadership and a deep and talented roster, Salem State will have all the pieces in place to claim a fourth MASCAC Championship.
Salem State will open the season November 3rd at home against Westfield State, 7 p.m.
