Corrieri’s goal with seconds left gives North Reading the win
Published in the February 16, 2017 edition
Congratulations to the North Reading Varsity Hockey team! They capped off an undefeated season by beating Newburyport with a score of 2-1. The Hornets finish the season Cape Ann League Champions! (Courtesy Photo/Lisa Buckley)
BY STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
Matt Corrieri’s goal with 38 seconds left gave the North Reading High hockey team a thrilling, 2-1, home win over Newburyport last Saturday afternoon at Kasabuski Rink in Saugus. Pat Scanlon and Colin Chase both assisting on the game-winner.
“It was the most exciting game of the season,” stated North Reading head coach John Giuliotti. “To do it on Senior Day against a good opponent made it even bigger.”
With the victory, the Hornets improved to 13-1-2 overall and 9-0-2 in the Cape Ann League. They finished 1-0-1 against the Clippers this season.
Kevin Murphy scoring the first Hornet goal 8:52 into the first period assisted by Scanlon.
After a scoreless second period, the Clippers tied it with 1:08 left in the game setting up Corrieri’s heroics.
Newburyport pulled their goalie seconds later to try to tie the game up again but the Hornets were able to hold on.
The Hornets outshot the Clippers on net, 23-21, as goalie John Day (13-1-2) made 20 saves.
Before the game, the 15 Hornet seniors were honored.
On Feb. 8th, the Hornets ended up tying Triton, 0-0, at Graf Rink in Newburyport. With the point they got for the tie, the Hornets captured the CAL title.
“Both goalies played well,” said Giuliotti as there was a combined 50 shots on net by both schools.
North Reading outshot the Vikings, 29-21, on goal as Day recorded his seventh shutout of the year.
The Hornets went 1-0-1 against the Vikings this season.
This Friday night, the Hornets face Saugus at Kasabuski at 7 pm in a make-up game. The original date was snowed out on Monday.
Next Monday and Tuesday, the Hornets will wrap up the regular season in the Jeff Hayes Memorial Tournament at the Gallo Arena in Buzzard’s Bay. They face Sandwich on Monday night at 6 pm in the first game and then will play either Oliver Ames or Lowell Catholic in the title or consolation game on Tuesday (time to be determined).
