SENIOR CAPTAIN Joe Raffa scored Lynnfield’s first two goals during their 4-3 overtime victory against Norton in a first round matchup on Feb. 28 at McVann-O’Keefe Rink. (File Photo)

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

PEABODY — In a game with a deceiving final score, the Lynnfield High boys’ hockey team lost at home to West Springfield, 5-2, in the MIAA Division 3 Round of 16 game last Saturday afternoon at the McVann-O’Keefe Rink in Peabody.

With that result, the 4th-seeded Pioneers ended the year at 11-10-1. The 20th-seeded Terriers, meanwhile, improved to 14-8 as they will take on Somerset-Berkley in the quarterfinals on March 7.

The game was knotted at two heading into the third period. When the Terriers scored with 5:04 left in the game, Pioneers head coach Jon Gardner pulled goalie Mike Marenghi (eight saves) twice as the final two goals came on the empty net.

“We dominated them so this was a tough one to swallow,” admitted Gardner, as his squad out-shot the Terriers, 33-13. “It has a been a broken record how many times this has happened to us this year.”

Terrier goalie Troy Cashman came up big making 31 saves.

“He is a big kid and he was very solid for them in net,” admitted Gardner.

West Springfield scored the lone goal in the opening period 5:29 in as Cole Castor scored, assisted by Owen Hall. Hall ended the afternoon with a team-high three assists.

The Terriers made it 2-0 on the power play 1:01 into the second stanza as Gavin Hall lit the lamp.

Lynnfield got on the scoreboard with 11:23 left in the second as Owen Considine beat Cashman. Jarret Scoppettuolo assisted.

With 1:21 left in the second, the Pioneers tied it as Tim Sullivan scored assisted by Will Norton and Jack Connell.

The eventual game-winning goal was scored by Jack Reed with 5:04 remaining causing Gardner to roll the dice.

With 1:40 remaining, Marenghi was pulled for the extra attacker and Hall scored on the empty net with a minute left.

After the ensuing face-off, Marenghi was pulled again and Castor had the final goal on the empty net with 12 seconds left.

In a first round game on Feb. 28, also at home, the Pioneers beat Norton, 4-3, in overtime.

Sullivan was the hero scoring the game-winner one minute into the 4-on-4 overtime session setting off a huge celebration.

“It was another game we dominated but had to pull out,” said Gardner.

After a scoreless opening period, Joe Raffa scored twice on the same shift in the second period to give the Pioneers a 2-0 lead going into the third.

His first tally was assisted by Sullivan while the second was unassisted.

Both goals came within one minute of each other.

Norton got on the scoreboard just 36 seconds into the third on a goal by Anthony Santangelo assisted by Josh Cohen.

The Lancers then took the lead aided by two 5-on-3 power play chances. Mike MacDonald tied it assisted by Connor Heagney and Santangelo. They took their first lead a little later as Dylan Cummings scored unassisted.

With just over five minutes left in the game Nick Kelter scored his first goal of the season on a shot from the point to tie it. Scoppettuolo and Jack Carpenter both assisted.

Lynnfield out-shot the Lancers, 44-9, as Marenghi made six stops for his first-ever playoff win.

Norton goalie, Ari Parker, was outstanding making 40 saves.

The 29th seeded Lancers ended the year at 12-9-1.