SALEM, Mass. – Sophomore Joe Mottiqua's (Cecil, Pa.) goal with 51.7 seconds remaining in the second period tied the game at 3-all, which it would be how it ended as the Wentworth Institute of Technology hockey team tied Salem State in the championship game of the 2015 Salem State Invitational. The Leopards would claim the tournament title with a 1-0 win in the shootout as freshman Brian Farkas (Shoreline, Wash.) netted the only goal, which came in the last half of the third and final round.
Wentworth, which ran its unbeaten streak to three (2-0-1), sits at 6-5-2 while the Vikings sit at 6-4-1.
Tournament most outstanding player, senior Kristofer Faric (Whitby, Ont.) factored in all three of Salem State's goals and got the Vikings on the board with an unassisted marker at 14:27 remaining in the opening stanza.
Faric put the Vikings ahead by a 2-0 score when he netted a shorthanded tally from junior Keaton Cashin (Boxford, Mass.) and freshman Derek Makimaa (Swartz Creek, Mich.) at 1:57 of the second period. Just 35 seconds later, the Leopards got on the board after a goal from senior Jordan Bourgonje (Spruce Grove, Alta.), assisted by sophomore Matthew Heise (Kirkland, Que.).
At the 15:17 mark the Leopards knotted the score at 2-all when freshman Ryan Sullivan (Whately, Mass.) scored his first collegiate marker, which was assisted by Bourgonje.
The Vikings quickly regained the lead at 16:35 when freshman Mackenzie Cook (Reading, Mass.) scored on the power play, assisted by Faric and Maikmaa. That lead stood until Heise and Bourgonje set up Mottiqua for what would be the game-tying goal.
Wentworth had plenty of chances to go ahead in the third period and win the game in overtime as the Back & Gold held an 11-2 shot advantage in the third period and a 5-1 edge in overtime, however could not convert.
Senior Alex Peck (Kirkland, Que.) made 18 stops for the Leopards while freshman Jason Pucciarelli (Newmarket, Ont.) made 35 stops for the Vikings. Wentworth had a 38-21 shot advantage for the contest.
Bourgonje (one goal, three assists) and Domsodi (two goals) were named to the all-tournament team along with Faric and teammates Brad Jones and Ian Canty and Suffolk's Stanton Turner.
Wentworth hosts ECAC West foe Manhattanville on Sunday, January 11, at 5:30 p.m.
