Gold Kings Strike Early and Often: Boston Overpowers Salem in 8–4 Special-Teams Showcase

December 20, 2025 — John A. Ryan Skating Arena, Watertown, MA

The Boston Gold Kings put on an offensive clinic Saturday night, riding a lethal power play and sustained pressure to an 8–4 victory over the Salem Sasquatch at John A. Ryan Skating Arena.

Boston struck five times in a decisive middle stretch and finished 4-for-4 on the power play, turning discipline and execution into separation. Salem showed flashes throughout, but the Gold Kings’ depth scoring and special-teams dominance proved too much to overcome.

Salem opened the scoring early, capitalizing on a Boston bench minor just 1:17 into the game. Robert Murphy converted on the power play, finishing a setup from Bryce Cronin and John Hamilton to give the Sasquatch a 1–0 lead.

Boston answered with three goals in a span of just under five minutes. At 4:14, Matt Baldino tied the game on the power play off feeds from Jon Lounsbury and CJ Grinnell. Just 27 seconds later, Lounsbury struck again at even strength, burying a pass from Nick McNally to put Boston ahead.

The Gold Kings weren’t done. At 9:12, Brandon Garneau added another power-play goal, assisted by Ernie Isamatov, pushing the lead to 3–1 as Boston’s special teams seized control of the game.

Boston stretched the lead midway through the second when Tony DiCostanzo scored at 10:34, finishing a play from Shawn Savela to make it 4–1.

At 12:49, Cam Cordio jumped a passing lane and raced in alone, scoring a short-handed goal with helpers from Isamatov and Lounsbury, stunning the Salem bench and ballooning the lead to 5–1.

Salem briefly responded at 17:48, as Patrick Wrenn scored at even strength off assists from Mark Blaney and Nick Newman, but Boston answered twice more before the intermission. CJ Grinnell converted on the power play at 18:28, followed by another man-advantage strike from Cordio at 19:59, assisted by Garneau.

Salem showed resilience in the third, opening the scoring at 9:36 when Jonah Bird finished a play created by Wrenn and Brendan Young.

Boston answered quickly. At 10:25, Isamatov found the back of the net at even strength, assisted by Brian Bilafer and Brian Cebula, restoring the six-goal cushion.

The Sasquatch closed the scoring at 19:02, as Mark Blaney converted on the power play off feeds from Young and Hamilton, but the outcome was long decided.

Postgame Breakdown

Shots on Goal

• Boston- 48
• Salem- 37

Power Plays

• Boston- 4-for-4
• Salem 2-for-8

Penalty Minutes

• Boston- 23
• Salem- 13

Goaltenders

• Boston: Evan Morelli– 33 saves on 37 shots (Win)
• Salem: Keegan McLaughlin– 39 saves on 47 shots (Loss)

Coming up

• 1/3 Holyoke at Boston at 7:20pm @ John A Ryan Arena
• 1/10 Salem at Hudson Valley at 7:00pm @ McCann Arena

Three Stars of the Game

1st Star- Ernie Isamatov (Boston) — 1 goal, 2 assists
2nd Star- Evan Morelli (Boston) — 33 saves on 37 shots (Win)
3rd Star- Jon Lounsbury (Boston) — 1 goal, 2 assists