Salem, Mass. (February 20)-The Saint Anselm College men's ice hockey team dropped an ECAC East game to the Vikings of Salem State College 5-2 Friday night at Richard H. Rockett Ice Arena. The loss drops the Hawks to 9-13-1 overall and 6-11-1 in league play, while the win improves the Vikings to 13-8-2 overall and 9-8-2 in ECAC East action.

The Viking scored the lone goal of the first period just 15 seconds into the game by Chris MacInnis (Waltham, Mass.) to make it 1-0 Salem State going into the second period.

Salem State extended their lead at the 5:29 mark of the second period on a goal by Zach Doyen (Ortonville, Michigan) to make it 2-0 Vikings. The Hawks hit the scoreboard eight minutes later on a goal from sophomore forward Michael Adams (Bedford, Mass.) to cut the lead in half to 2-1. Hawk forward Coleman Noonan (Norfolk, Mass.) was credited with the assist for his 20th point of the season. The Vikings would add two more in the period on goals from Kevin Huinink (Whitby, Ontario) and MacInnis' 2nd of the night to make it 4-1 Salem heading into the final period.

At the 7:57 mark Viking forward David Pazzaglia (Oakdale, Conn.) extended the lead to 5-1. With just over five minutes left Saint Anselm cut into the lead on a goal by senior tri-captain Tom Kerwin (Whitman, Mass.) to make it 5-2. But it would not be enough as the Hawks would fall by the 5-2 final.

Saint Anselm goaltender Kevin Fairweather (Woburn, Mass.) stopped 26 shots in the losing effort, while Salem goalie Ryan Hatch (Medway, Mass.) made 31 saves to pick up his ninth win of the year.

The Hawks are back in action tomorrow, as they will travel to Southern Maine for a 4 p.m. start.