Hockey begins with back to back shutouts
Published in the December 22, 2016 edition
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCI
LOWELL – It was a good start to the season for the North Reading High hockey team as they won their first two games with a pair of shutouts. On Monday, the Hornets beat Amesbury – Whittier Tech, 5-0, at Janas Rink in Lowell. The game was originally scheduled for Saturday at Kasbuski Rink in Saugus, but was postponed due to the snow.
“It was nice to see a balanced attack and I was happy that John (Day) was able to get another shutout in goal,” said Hornets head coach John Giuliotti.
John Stringer, Josh Zelikman and Owen Maxwell all found the back of the Indians net in the first period as North Reading went to the first intermission leading 3-0.
James Doran and John Merullo both scored for the Hornets in the second period to make it 5-0. Merullo’s tally was a shorthanded one.
Matt Gravellese led the team in assists with two.
The Hornets outshot the Indians (1-2) on goal, 26-11, as Day made all 11 stops.
In the season opener last Wednesday, the Hornets beat Pentucket, 2-0, at Kasabuski.
Mike Finocchiaro scored in the first period and Zelikman had the third-period tally. Gavellese had two assists while Merullo and Tyler Collins both had one assist.
The Hornets dominated the territorial play outshooting the Sachems on net, 51-11. Day made 11 saves while Sachem goalie Anthony Orlando made 49 stops.
“(Orlando) played very well in net but it was a good win for us,” said Giuliotti.
The next game for the Hornets will be on Dec. 26 as they will participate in the Kasabuski Christmas Classic Tournament. Their first game will be against Winthrop. Face-off is slated for 10 a.m.
They will then either play Peabody or Melrose the next day in the consolation or title game. The consolation game is at 10 a.m. while the title game is at 4 p.m.
