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Vastl sparks Salem offense

Saturday, December, 27 By David Willis
Staff writer

Salem — Vastl sparks Salem offense

After the first two games of the season, Salem’s Joel Vastl was concerned about Salem’s offense. After the last two days, those worries have been calmed.

Led by the senior’s four points, the Blue Devils delivered a convincing 4-1 victory over Timberlane to send them to today’s finals of the Salem tourney. That came one day after an eight-goal win over Londonderry.

“At the beginning of the season we didn’t score too much,” said Vastl. “If we are going to win, we have to just keep scoring goals and not stop. We have done that the last two days.”

Vastl was the playmaker early, registering assists on Salem’s first three goals of the day, the prettiest of which came when he slid the puck in front of the goalie to a wide-open Mike Frahm who gave them a 3-0 lead. Vastl then clinched the victory with a goal of his own.

“I think we are really clicking,” he said. “I set up my linemate (Jared) Henderson for the first goal. When I get him the pick he usually puts it in, and that got us going. Then (Mark) Baroni returned the favor by setting me up for a goal of my own.”

Vastl received praise from Kesselring after the game. Kesselring said the senior had the hardest wrist shot in New Hampshire Division 1.

“The big (Icenter) ice gives us room to move around and do different things,” said Salem coach Mark McGinn. “We have spread it out (on offense) and played well. The kids are really blending together and playing well.”

Salem took the lead with 4:50 left in the first when Henderson hauled in a pass from Vastl and fired it over Rothwell’s shoulder. The Blue Devils added to the advantage with a flurry in the second. First, Baroni scored off a rebound, then Frahm scored to make it 3-0.

The Owls did take one back in the second when returning Eagle-Tribune All-Star Nick Bundzinski scored off assists from Trevor DeVitto and Dayne Denton. But Vastl iced the victory with his goal with 5:03 left in the game.

Goalie Rob Liberatore, the hero of last year’s Salem Tourney championship, was outstanding, making 29 saves against the aggressive Owls.

“Robbie was great,” said McGinn. “We rely on him very heavily. Timberlane took it to us physically in the first and he kept us in the game. He just makes it look too easy.”

Timberlane could not take advantage of Salem’s struggles with penalties. The Blue Devils were called for nine penalties, and allowed two 5-on-3 power plays. But the Owls only took advantage once.