DiNicola Completes Hat Trick in Overtime as Reapers Edge Salem 5–4

January 10, 2026 — McCann Ice Arena, Poughkeepsie, NY

The Hudson Valley Reapers survived a furious late comeback and leaned on overtime heroics Saturday night, as Nick DiNicola capped a hat trick at 2:15 of overtime to lift Hudson Valley to a dramatic 5–4 win over the Salem Sasquatch at McCann Ice Arena.

What appeared to be a comfortable Reapers victory after two periods unraveled into a special-teams-driven rally by Salem, forcing overtime before DiNicola delivered the final blow to secure the extra point.

The opening period was tightly played, with both teams trading early chances and penalty kills. Salem broke through at 13:21, when Tom Tracy finished an even-strength chance off feeds from Max Campbell and John Hamilton, giving the Sasquatch a 1–0 lead.

Hudson Valley pushed the pace late in the frame but couldn’t solve Keegan McLaughlin, sending Salem into the intermission with a slim edge.

The game swung sharply in the Reapers’ favor in the middle frame. Nick DiNicola tied the contest at 3:46, burying a setup from Gavin Frack and Connor Woolley. Just minutes later, DiNicola struck again—this time on a penalty shot at 7:36, calmly converting to give Hudson Valley its first lead.

The Reapers continued to press. At 15:20, Robert Clerc cashed in on the power play from Frack and DiNicola.

Clerc added another at 19:27, finishing a feed from Brett Jackson and Taylor Traenkle to send Hudson Valley into the break firmly in control.

Salem refused to go quietly. On the power play at 1:37, Tucker Twardosky pulled one back, finishing passes from Tom Tracy and John Hamilton.

The Sasquatch continued to capitalize on penalties late, striking again at 18:07 when Twardosky scored his second of the night on the man advantage from Mark Blaney and Brendan Young.

With the goalie pulled and the clock winding down, Salem completed the comeback. Tom Tracy buried a power-play goal at 19:29, assisted by Brendan Young, stunning the McCann crowd and forcing overtime.

At 2:15 of overtime, DiNicola completed his hat trick, snapping home the game-winner off assists from Connor Woolley and Charlie Wemyss, sealing a hard-earned 5–4 Reapers victory.

Postgame Breakdown

Shots on Goal

• Hudson Valley- 46
• Salem- 42

Power Plays

• Hudson Valley- 1-for-5
• Salem- 3-for-7

Penalty Minutes

• Hudson Valley- 18
• Salem- 18

Goaltenders

• Hudson Valley: Jack Messing–38 saves on 42 shots (Win)
• Salem: Keegan McLaughlin– 41 saves on 46 shots (Loss)

Coming up

• 1/10 Boston at Norfolk at 6:00pm @New England Sports Village
• 1/10 Salem at Hudson Valley at 7:00pm @ McCann Arena

Three Stars of the Game

1st Star- Nick DiNicola (Hudson Valley) — 3 goals, 1 assist
2nd Star- Tom Tracy (Salem) — 2 goals, 1 assist
3rd Star- Tucker Twardosky (Salem)  — 2 goals