Published in the February 2, 2017 edition
BY STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
HAVERHILL – Last Saturday afternoon, the North Reading High boys hockey team beat host Amesbury, 3-1, at the Valley Forum in Haverhill. With that victory, the Hornets record improved to 11-0-1 overall and 6-0-1 in the Cape Ann League. They also competed the season sweep over the Indians.
“We have had some success against them the past few years,” said North Reading head coach John Giuliotti. “Their goalie played well and they were able to hang in there.”
In the first period, Josh Zelikman scored assisted by Tyler Collins and Matt Corrieri.
The other two goals came in the third Pat Scanlon, assisted by James Doran, made it 2-0, with ten minutes left in the third.
Amesbury answered with a goal by Zach Prentiss but Corrieri scored with eight minutes left to increase the lead to two.
The Hornets dominated the territorial play outshooting the Indians on net, 50-10. Goalie John Day improved to 11-0-1 with nine saves. Amesbury net minder Charlie Baxter, made 47 stops helping keep his team in the game
On Jan. 25, the Hornets nipped Pentucket, 1-0, at Veterans Memorial Rink in Haverhill. That win clinched a bid to the Div. 2 state tournament.
“Their goalie (Anthony Orlando) was unbelievable,” stated Giuliotti, as Orlando turned back 37 shots.
John Stringer scored the lone goal in the second period assisted by Matt Gravallese and Mark Porter.
Day, meanwhile, made ten stops to post his fifth shutout of the season as the Hornets also completed the season sweep over the Sachems.
On Thursday night, the Hornets host Masconomet at Kasabuski Rink in Saugus at 7 pm. That game is the Coaches Against Cancer Game.
North Reading then welcomes Matignon in a non-league game at 4 pm on Saturday back at Kasabuski.
On Feb. 8, North Reading goes to the Graf Rink in Newburyport to take on Triton. Face-off is at 7 pm.
The Hornets are looking for the season sweep over both Masco and Triton.
