Published in the January 11, 2017 edition

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — The boys’ hockey team concluded last week with a loss and a tie, bringing the Pioneers’ overall record this season to 4-2-1.

The Pioneers began last week falling 3-1 to North Reading Jan. 4.

The first period was a defensive battle between the Pioneers and Hornets, resulting in a 0-0 tie.

Lynnfield took a 1-0 lead 5:31 into the second period after captain Joey Mack nailed a shot. Senior Johnny Percoskie had the assist.

“Joey has been extremely consistent the whole year,” said Pioneers head coach Jon Gardner. “He was huge for us. He scored the only power play goal of the game. He is a defenseman who plays a 200-foot game. He has been fantastic.”

North Reading scored all three of its goals during the third period. The Hornets scored its first goal 3:46 into the third period.

The Hornets took a 2-1 lead at the 9:26 mark of the third period. North Reading scored its third goal with just over a minute remaining in the game.

“We played our best game against North Reading since I have been here,” said Gardner. “We lost focus during a couple of shifts in the third period and it cost us.”

Ties Newburyport

The Pioneers concluded last week tying Newburyport 2-2 Jan. 7.

Lynnfield stormed out of the gate and scored two goals during the first period. Mack scored the locals’ first goal at the 11:30 mark of the first period, giving the Pioneers a 1-0 lead.

Junior Kyle Nekoroski scored the Pioneers’ second goal 44 seconds later after he was set up by sophomore Jaret Simpson.

After a scoreless second period, Newburyport scored two goals during the third. The Clippers scored its first goal four minutes into the third period. Newburyport found the back of the net a second time with 6:19 remaining in the third.

“It was another good effort, but we didn’t finish it off,” said Gardner. “We played a strong game for more than two thirds of the game, but we didn’t finish it off. The Graff (Rink) is a tough place to play. It’s a tough pill to swallow because we had them on the ropes and let them back in.”