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Salem 4, Lewiston 1

SALEM — When the preseason kicked off a month ago, Salem star Kyle Nagri had one big wish.

He wanted to play next to Chris Lemay.

“We just seem to connect,” said Nagri. “He is such a battler and always finds the way to get me the puck and get me good scoring opportunities. We played together last year and I was so excited to have him back on my line.”
The duo showed their link last night in a big way. Nagri potted two goals — both assisted by Lemay — then set up Lemay for his goal as Salem rolled over Lewiston (Maine) 4-1 in the Blue Devil Classic last night at the Salem Icenter.
“I thought we played a very good game,” said Lemay. “We slowed down a little in the first, but we picked it up and finished very strong. The offense played well and the defense was strong.”
Nagri and Lemay took control of last night’s contest early, and they did it with style.
Lemay picked off a pass near center ice and attacked the opposing zone before firing a pass to Jared Carlson. He then immediately tapped the puck ahead to Nagri, who stuffed it home to give the Blue Devils a 1-0 lead 4:48 into the contest.
“That was a great tick-tac-toe goal,” said Nagri. “Both guys made great passes and I was there to put it home. They did the hard work.”
Lewiston tied the game right before the end of the first on a short-handed tally, but the Devils struck right back.
With Lewiston controlling the play, Lemay aggressively delivered a massive hit to knock the puck free. Nagri picked it up, broke in alone and roofed a shot over the goalie’s glove into the left corner of the net for his second score of the day 1:50 into the second.
“I saw the guy, I hit him and Nagri was there to do the rest,” said Lemay. “I think Nagri and I find each other really well. He finishes (goals) so well. He just finds the back of the net all the time.”
After providing the two helpers, Lemay then potted his goal. Nagri blasted a shot on goal that was saved, but the fellow winger grabbed the rebound and buried it just inside the post with 5:01 left in the second.
Nagri — who has now scored a team-high six goals after netting a team-best 14 last year — had a golden opportunity for a hat trick midway thought he third, but the goalie somehow managed to get a skate on the Devil’s backhand. His nine points are one ahead of Lemay for the team lead.
Paul Antkowiak closed out the scoring with just over a minute to go in the contest, taking a pass from Nagri and blasting home a slap shot from just inside the blue line.
Salem goalie and returning All-New Hampshire Division 1 selection Sam MacDonald wasn’t tested often (18 saves), but when he was he was up to the task.
Salem faced its toughest stretch of the game midway through that period, when two penalties on one hit gave Lewiston a two-minute 5-on-3 advantage. But the Devils turned Lewiston away thanks to a pair of huge saves by MacDonald, the best when he flashed his right pad to stop an attempt point-blank shot.
With the victory Salem improved to 3-0-1 on the season, and will take on Dover in the second day of the Blue Devil Classic on Saturday at 8:15 p.m.
“We started the season a little slow, but I think we are coming together an playing the way we should,” said Nagri. “I think this is going to be a great season.”