Icemen gliding into second half of the season after historic start

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

LYNNFIELD — It has been an outstanding first half of hockey for the Lynnfield High boys’ team this winter. The Pioneers entered this week undefeated at 9-0-1 and are ranked 1st in the MIAA Div. 3 power rankings.

“There is no doubt that this has been a great year so far,” stated Pioneers head coach Jon Gardner. “I didn’t see us being on a streak like this considering who we lost from last year’s team.”

The top scorer after 10 games is defenseman Drew Damiani. The senior captain, who was a Cape Ann League All-Star last year, has eight goals and eight assists for 16 points.

“He is not putting up the numbers from last year but he is having a great season,” said Gardner.

Last week, Damiani recorded his 100^th career point assisting on his brother Dylan’s goal. Also in that win over North Reading, Gardner registered his 100^th-career win behind the Pioneer bench.

Will Norton is second in points with 12 as the left winger has eight goals and four assists.

“Will and his twin brother (Aiden) have both been solid this season,” said Gardner. “Will is our second top scorer and Aiden has been solid on defense.”

The biggest impact on offense has been newcomer Jack Carpenter as the junior transfer from St. Mary’s of Lynn is third in scoring with 11 points as he has netted six goals to go with five assists.

“He has been a monster for us,” said Gardner, about the forward. “He is fast and really good with the puck.”

New goalie Dan McSweeney is 9-0-1 in his first season in net.

“He has exceeded all of my expectations,” admitted Gardner, about the senior. “He is a calming influence back there.”

McSweeney entered this will with a goals-against average of only 1.38.

Gardner also praised the defensive play of senior co-captain Lucas Cook who has been a key on the team’s penalty kill.

The goals for the rest of the regular season is to forge a team identify and try to hold on to that top seed. Getting to play at home for the first couple of rounds is huge especially with teams having to travel farther than before where the tournaments were broken into sectionals.

Lynnfield will be shooting for win number 10 on Jan. 25 as they travel to the Graf Rink in Newburyport to take on Triton at 4 p.m.

On Jan. 28, the Pioneers will host Newburyport at the McVann-O’Keefe Rink. Face-off will be at noon.