Oaks, Pa. — Cam Bergeman had a hand in all four Salesianum (4-3-2) goals — scoring one and assisting on the three others — in their 4-2 win over Owen J. Roberts (1-9-1) on Friday (Dec. 20) at Center Ice.
Behind Bergeman’s offensive firepower, sophomore Aiden Kikut backstopped the Sals to their second straight win with 25 saves.
Salesianum established strong early momentum right out of the gate, landing on the power play just six seconds in after Conor Booth elbowed Logan Downs in pursuit of a contested puck off the initial face-off. While the Sals failed to convert on their initial power play, centre James Bell put them on the board 4:16, finishing a centring pass from Bergeman with a net-front backhand shot. Bergeman then set up Ethan Scharp for a net-front one-timer while on a two-man advantage with 19 seconds left before then finding the back of the net himself on a 25-foot wrist shot 1:50 into the second period.
After a powerful start, penalty trouble in the second period nearly caused Salesianum to squander their lead.
With defenceman Pat Kelly ruled off for a roughing minor at 10:01 in the middle period, the Wildcats’ power play unit had proven able to establish their strongest attacking zone presence of the game, firing a barrage of shots on Kikut. James Davis capitalised on the man advantage with 4:45 left in the frame, putting away the rebound of a Dylan Mercadante shot. Wildcats blueliner Sean Kavanagh followed suit with 1:47 left in the period, beating Kikut on his own rebound to bring Roberts to within one goal.
Despite the Wildcats’ attempt to rally late in the second, Salesianum held their ground and kept Roberts scoreless on 10 third-period shots — with Bergeman missing over five minutes of the frame due to penalties, no less — after Kelly connected from the right point 2:04 into the third to extend the Sals’ lead to 4-2.
Jason Nold suffered his ninth regulation loss in net for Roberts, stopping 25 of 29 shots faced.
Salesianum returns to action on Monday (Dec. 23), when they conclude their 2019 schedule at home against Downingtown East. Coverage on Delaware Hockey Night TV and Delaware Hockey Night Radio will commence at 6:30 p.m. Eastern.
