SALEM, Mass. – The New England College men's ice hockey team scored three goals in the first six minutes as they cruised to a 4-1 win at Salem State University on Thursday evening at Rockett Arena in Salem, Massachusetts.

THE BASICS
Score:                    New England College 4, Salem State 1
Records:               Pilgrims 7-5 | Vikings 2-8

HOW IT HAPPENED

• NEC senior forward Alex LaPlante (Londonderry, N.H.) put the 'Grims on the board just 1:12 into the first period for his team-leading fifth goal of the season, assisted by senior forward Chris Lee (Rapid City, S.D.) and sophomore forward Wyatt Andres (Brainerd, Minn.).
• Just 4:07 into the game, LaPlante assisted on Lee's first goal of the year as the Pilgrims went up 2-0.
• Finally, with 14:48 left in the first stanza, senior forward Jhuwon Davis (Detriot, Mich.) scored his his third goal of the season, assisted by junior forward Anthony Cinato (Warren, Mich.) and freshman forward Manny Cabral (Providence, R.I.) to put the 'Grims up a commanding 3-0 in the first period.
• Salem State senior forward Connor Woolley (Poghquag, N.Y.) got the Vikings on the board with an unassisted goal just 1:07 into the third period.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• NEC senior goalie Spencer Kozlowski (Vancouver, B.C.) was outstanding for the 'Grims, stopping the first 24 shots he faced and finishing with 35 saves.
• Salem State freshman goalie Hunter Thomas (Schwenksville, Penn.) tallied 17 saves in net for the Vikings.
• The Vikings outshot the Pilgrims, 36-31.

UP NEXT

• Up next for NEC, the 'Grims travel to Plymouth State on Saturday for a 6:00 p.m. matchup.  
• The Vikings are off until January 3^rd when they travel to Babson College for a 6:00 p.m. game.

For continuing coverage of New England College Athletics, visit athletics.nec.edu and follow the Pilgrims on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.