Boutoussov scores twice including OT game-winner

OAK BLUFFS, Mass. - Salve Regina University freshman Paul Boutoussov (Dana Point, Calif.) scored his second goal of the game at 3:05 in overtime to give the Seahawks a 2-1 victory over Neumann University in Game 2 of the Martha's Vineyard Classic. In an earlier game, Curry College defeated Westfield State University, 5-1.

Neumann started strong, generating the game's first four power plays in the opening period. Despite the man-advantages though, the Knights could not break through with a goal. Using momentum from the killed penalties, Salve Regina scored the period's only goal when Boutoussov scored his first of the afternoon at the 16:23 mark to give Salve Regina a 1-0 lead.

Needing a spark in the second stanza, the Knights came out of the break with a jump in their step. Joe Mitchell scored unassisted three minutes into the period to knot the contest up at 1-1 and set up a closely contested final two periods of play. Salve Regina responded with their best play late in the second period but excellent goaltending from Bernard kept the score tied. The Seahawks outshot the Knights 16-8 in the period but the game headed to the third tied at one apiece.

The Knights continued to withstand the Seahawks pressure, killing off three more penalties including a 5-on-3 sequence to keep the game tied.

After two periods of being stonewalled by Knights netminder Sammy Bernard, the Seahawks were finally able to get a puck by the Knights' netminder in the extra session. Boutoussov scored again at the 3:05 mark to skate away with the 2-1 overtime victory. Shots for the game finished 43-21 in favor of the Seahawks.

Bernard finished with 41 saves in the contest for the Knights while Blake Wojtala (Trenton, Mich.) stopped 20 shots and surrended just one goal to improve to 11-3-2 in net this season.

Next up the Seahawks will face Westfield State on Saturday at 1 p.m. while the Knights will square off with Curry College at 4 p.m.