Published in the January 4, 2017 edition

By DAN TOMASELLO

SAUGUS — The boys’ hockey team concluded the Kasabuski Christmas Tournament with a victory.

The Pioneers (4-1) cruised past Portland, Maine 6-1 Dec. 27.

Lynnfield scored three goals during the first period. Senior Tom Powers gave the locals a 1-0 lead 2:36 into the first period. Senior Christian D’Agostino and freshman Ronnie Fuccillo had the assists.

The Pioneers took a 2-0 lead seven minutes in the first period after senior Johnny Percoskie found the back of the net, assisted by freshman Wil Rinaldi and senior Matt Collins.

Captain Joey Mack gave the locals a 3-0 lead after he scored a goal with three minutes remaining in the first period. Freshman John Simonetti and captain Cooper Marengi had the assists.

Lynnfield continued rolling during the second period. Sophomore Will Garofoli scored a goal five minutes into the second period, assisted by sophomore Chris Flannery and junior Kyle Nekorski.

Junior Tyler Murphy gave the Pioneers a 5-0 lead with 34 seconds remaining in the second period. Percoskie and Rinaldi were credited with the assists.

Mack scored the locals’ final goal at the 10:30 mark of the third period. Sophomore George DeRoche had the assist.

Portland scored its only goal at the end of the contest.

Senior Dave Lagone tallied 12 saves in net over the course of the first two periods of the game. Sophomore Aidan Kelly and senior Joe Breslow split time in net during the third period.

Pioneers head coach Jon Gardner praised the Pioneers’ performance against Portland.

“It was a lopsided game right out of the gate,” said Gardner. “Portland was undermanned because they had some kids injured and sick, and didn’t make the trip as a result. We leaned on our depth in our first back-to-back game of the year. We did quick shifts and kept rolling out the lines. Our guys did a good job executing.”

Gardner said Mack was “real solid” against Portland.