Published in the February 24, 2016 edition
BOYS’ HOCKEY senior captain Dan O’Leary (3) scored two goals and freshman Jagger Benson (11) had an assist during the Pioneers’ 3-2 win over Saugus Feb. 17. The victory enabled the Pioneers to qualify for the Division 2 North state tournament for the first time in four years. (Dan Tomasello File Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — After a four-year absence, the boys’ hockey team is headed back to the Division 2 North state tournament.
“It’s a relief,” said Pioneers head coach Jon Gardner. “This is the group we started with and we wanted them to experience the tournament and extend their hockey lives. It feels great finally punching our ticket to the tournament.”
The Pioneers (9-7-3) clinched a state tournament berth after rallying past Saugus 3-2 on Feb. 17.
The Sachems took an early 1-0 lead at the 11:53 mark of the first period. Lynnfield tied the game at one with 6:05 remaining in the first period when senior captain Dan O’Leary found the back of the net. Sophomore Joey Mack and assistant captain Derek Crampe were credited with the assists.
Saugus scored its second goal of the contest 1:29 into the second period, giving the Sachems a 2-1 lead.
Undaunted, Lynnfield regrouped and started asserting offensive pressure. O’Leary tied the game at two after scoring a power play goal with 0.8 seconds remaining in the second period. Freshman Jagger Benson and sophomore Cooper Marengi were credited with the assists.
The third period was a defensive battle between the Pioneers and Sachems but the locals benefitted after Saugus received two penalties down the stretch. Crampe scored the game-winning goal with 10 seconds remaining in the game after Benson recovered the puck behind Saugus’ goalie and completed a difficult pass to Crampe in front of the net.
“It was a great goal,” said Gardner. “(Crampe) showed a lot of poise to finish it with 10 seconds left.”
Junior Dave Langone tallied 14 saves in net for the Pioneers.
Gardner praised the Pioneers’ performance against the Sachems.
“I give our guys a lot of credit,” said Gardner. “We needed the point to get into the tournament and coming back after being down 2-1 speaks volumes about our guys, especially our seniors. Dan O’Leary scored two big goals for us and Derek Crampe’s goal at the end was huge.”
Ties Gloucester
The Pioneers tied Gloucester 2-2 on Feb. 20.
The Fishermen took a 1-0 lead with 6:28 remaining in the first period. Gloucester’s defense kept the Pioneers’ offense at bay for the rest of the first period, which enabled the Fishermen to maintain the 1-0 advantage at the end of the first period.
Gloucester took a 2-0 lead after the Fishermen scored a goal 26 seconds into the second period. Gloucester maintained the 2-0 lead for the rest of the second period.
Lynnfield scored both of its goals during the third period. Senior Billy Cole cut the Fishermen’s deficit to 2-1 after he scored a goal with 7:12 remaining in the third period, assisted by freshman George DeRoche.
O’Leary capped off his strong week by scoring the game-tying goal with 6:16 remaining in the game after he was set up by Benson.
Langone tallied four saves in net against Gloucester. Senior Nick Fiorentino recorded nine saves.
“It was disappointing,” said Gardner. “We had four power plays in the first period and we didn’t capitalize on them. We played better in the second. It was great we came back in the third to get the tie but I would have liked to finish the year with 10 wins.”
Gardner commended sophomore Tyler Murphy’s performance against Gloucester.
“Tyler played very well,” said Gardner. “He is a hard nosed, smart and physical player.”
Tournament information
The MIAA will be posting the Division 2 state tournament brackets on Saturday, Feb. 27 at www.miaa.net.
Gardner said undefeated Marblehead is a lock to be the number one seed in the tournament, while North Reading, Boston Latin and Tewksbury are vying to be the second, third and fourth seeds in the tournament.
“Whoever we get is going to be a difficult match-up,” said Gardner.
