Published January 9, 2019

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

PEABODY — The Lynnfield High boys’ hockey team posted its first shutout of the season last Saturday afternoon as they blanked guest Amesbury, 3-0, at the McVann-O’Keefe Rink in Peabody. With that victory, the Pioneers improved to 5-3-1 overall and 2-1-1 in the Cape Ann League.

Will Garafoli lit the lamp twice in the first period. His first one came at the 8:43 mark assisted by John Simonetti and George DeRoche. The second tally came on the power play at the 10:29 mark as Simonetti and Sam Pifko got the assists.

The final goal came with 5:23 left in the game as Pifko scored assisted by Jaret Simpson and Leo Quinn.

CHRIS FLANNERY (22) takes a skate past the Pioneer bench after his goal tied the game against Masco at McVann-O’Keefe Rink on Jan. 2. (Dan Pawlowski Photo)

Lynnfield outshot the Indians on goal, 27-18, as Aidan Kelly posted his first shutout of the winter improving to 5-3-1 in net.

“It was a good game for us,” said Lynnfield head coach Jon Gardner. “We were able to limit their scoring chances.”

It was also a nice bounce-back win for the team after they lost, 6-3, to Masconomet on Jan. 2 also at the at the McVann-O’Keefe Rink.

“The final score was deceiving,” pointed out Gardner. “We led 3-2 with just under seven minutes left in the game.”

The Chieftains, who got a split of the season series, tied the game with 6:53 left.

Masco scored the eventual game-winning goal with 1:59 remaining and made it, 5-3, with an empty-net goal with 1:07 left.

They then tacked on their final tally in the last minute with Kelly back in goal.

“We have got to be able to finish against a good team like that,” said Gardner.

After Masco scored early in the opening period, the Pioneers tied the game with 4:52 left in the first when Chris Flannery scored assisted by DeRoche.

Garafoli then scored with just seven seconds left in the first, assisted by DeRoche, to give the Pioneers a 2-1 lead heading into the second.

The Chieftains scored on a power play early in the second but DeRoche had an unassisted goal with 35 second left in the period to send the Pioneers into the third leading, 3-2.

Masconomet outshot the Pioneers on net, 26-25, as Kelly made 20 saves.

This Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m., the Pioneers visit Newburyport at Graf Rink. On Jan. 15, Lynnfield goes to the Kasabuski Rink in Saugus to take on host North Reading. Faceoff for that game is 5:10 p.m.