THE LHS boys’ hockey team won the Fairleigh S. Dickinson Tournament on Martha’s Vineyard over the weekend with wins against Essex Tech and Hopkinton. (Courtesy Photo)
After press time: Lynnfield Pioneers JV team wins McVann Cup (Feb 21)
– Lynnfield defeats Wakefield 2-1 (OT)
– Lynnfield defeats Danvers 3-0
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
MARTHA’S VINEYARD — The Lynnfield High boys’ hockey team captured the Farleigh S. Dickinson Tournament title on Sunday afternoon as they beat Hopkinton, 7-2, at the Martha’s Vineyard Arena on Cape Cod.
With that win, the Pioneers ended the regular season at 10-9-1 while the Hillers ended up at 14-4-2.
This is the team’s third tournament title in eight years competing as they last won it two seasons ago.
“We ambushed them just like we did against Westwood earlier this season,” recalled Pioneers head coach Jon Gardner as his squad raced out to a 5-0 lead after the opening period.
The newly formed line of Jack Carpenter, Owen Considine and Jarret Scoppettuolo had a monster afternoon as they all combined for 12 points.
“They certainly played like a top line,” stated Gardner.
Carpenter had two goals and three assists while Scoppettuolo had two goals and two assists. Considine finished with three points with two goals and one helper.
The other goal was scored by Tim Sullivan as he lit the lamp in the first period. One of Carpenter’s goals came on the power play while one of Scoppettuolo’s goals came shorthanded.
“Jarret’s goal was a back-breaker for them,” said Gardner.
Lynnfield out-shot Hopkinton, 29-11, as Pioneer goalie, Mike Marenghi, made nine saves. Marenghi finished the regular season at 8-7-1 in net.
In the first game of the tournament on Saturday, the Pioneers won in overtime, 3-2, over Essex Tech.
Carpenter was the hero in this game scoring 22 seconds into the 4-on-4 overtime session. Scoppettuolo assisted.
This was also a Cape Ann League game even though it was played in this tournament as Lynnfield went 5-4 in the league coming in second place in the CAL Kinney Division behind Newburyport.
With that win, the Pioneers were able to complete the season sweep over the CAL newcomer Hawks as they won the first meeting, 3-0, back on Dec. 16.
The Hawks jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first period. Carpenter got the locals in the scoreboard early in the second assisted by Considine and Scoppettuolo.
With 1:52 left in the second, Will Norton tied it assisted by Jack Neenan and Jake Connell.
Marenghi turned back 23 shots as Lynnfield out-shot the Hawks 30-25.
On Feb. 14, the Pioneers tied host Marlboro, 2-2, at the Navin Rink in a non-league game.
“We let this one slip through our fingers,” admitted Gardner, as Marlboro tied the game on the power play with just under five minutes left in the game.
Carpenter scored the first goal of the night assisted by Nick Kelter in the first period. Masse then tied it up with a shorthanded tally late on in the first.
In the third, Scoppettuolo tipped home a shot by Considine to make it 2-1.
Lynnfield outshot the Panthers 26-23 as Marenghi made 21 saves.
“Their goalie is the best I have seen all year,” said Garnder, about Panther net-minder Roman Belli.
Lynnfield entered this week seeded 5th in the MIAA Division 3 power rankings.
They will find out this weekend who they will host in the first round of states. Their first postseason game is most likely to be played on Feb. 28.
