Salem and Bishop Guertin hit hard all afternoon, but the Cardinals saved their biggest blows for the back of the net, skating past the Blue Devils, 5-2. BG scored twice in each of the first two periods and added an empty-netter in the final frame, dropping Salem to 5-5- 0 on the season following the contest on Saturday, Jan. 31.

Throughout the game, both sides delivered thunderous checks on their opponents, and several times players exchanged words after an official’s whistle blew. The physical play eventually hurt the Blue Devils; three Guertin goals were scored on the power play.

“That’s what happens when these two teams play each other,” said Salem’s head coach, Mark McGinn. “They’re a physical, strong team, and … I was happy with how we were able to keep up with them. Even the little guys were getting physical with them.”

Already trailing, 2-0, Salem missed an opportunity to cut the deficit late in the first period. The Blue Devils, with a 5-on-3 opportunity and subsequent man-advantage, produced five scoring chances. They couldn’t capitalize.

“They don’t give you many second chances when it comes to being down in front of the net,” said McGinn of BG. “You really have to bear down in front of the net and find the puck.”

Salem senior forward Aaron Mackey broke up the shutout with 9:02 remaining in the game, and Cory Lavallee added a second tally three minutes later, breathing life into the previously lethargic Blue Devils. Michael Frahm and Michael Rocheleau assisted on the two Salem goals. And with 40 seconds left, Salem’s last chance to climb within a goal, with the puck bouncing dangerously in front of Guertin’s net, was foiled by a crease violation.

The Cardinals’ empty-net tally quickly followed. McGinn said his team came out with a different – and better – attitude in the third period.

“They took it personally in the last period,” said McGinn. “They went to the net more and were able to catch a bounce or two.”

The Cardinals, now 7-0-0, top the Division I standings, and McGinn said it was a welcome challenge for his team to play the defending state champions.

“I needed it more to see how we would play against a top team. They responded the right way. We just need to play with that intensity versus everyone we play,” said McGinn. “Hopefully we’ll get another crack at them in the finals.”