Published in the January 6, 2016 edition
By DAN TOMASELLO
SAUGUS — The hockey team celebrated the holiday season in style last week, as the Pioneers were crowned champions of the Kasabuski Christmas Classic South Division.
“It’s nice for our seniors and the team as a whole,” said Pioneers head coach Jon Gardner. “It feels nice accomplishing one of our early season goals.”
The Pioneers (3-1-2) won the Kasabuski Christmas Classic South Division after defeating Danvers 4-3 in a shoot out Dec. 29.
After a scoreless first period, Danvers scored a power play goal 10:20 into the second period. The Falcons took a 2-0 lead after Danvers scored its second goal a short time later.
The Pioneers cut the Falcons’ lead to one 54 seconds after Danvers scored its second goal when senior Billy Cole found the back of the net after being set up by junior Johnny Percoskie and assistant captain Greg Miles.
Danvers took a decisive 3-1 lead after the Falcons scored a power play goal 1:47 into the third period.
Undaunted, the Pioneers began asserting offensive pressure against Danvers. With just under five minutes remaining in the game, Miles found the back of the net, cutting Danvers’ lead to one, 3-2. Senior Jack Ganter and sophomore Joey Mack were credited with the assist.
The Pioneers tied the game at three after senior captain Rob LoConte scored a goal with three minutes remaining in regulation, assisted by assistant captain Derek Crampe.
Lynnfield and Danvers both tried their best to score in overtime but the contest remained deadlocked at three.
In the shootout, freshman George DeRoche scored the Pioneers’ first goal but the locals missed its second and third attempts. After missing Danvers’ first two shootout attempts, the Falcons scored on its third attempt.
Mack scored the game-winning goal for Lynnfield in sudden death.
“It was a great goal,” said Gardner.
Junior goalie David Langone tallied 21 saves during regulation.
“David was fantastic in the shootout,” said Gardner. “He has really worked on his breakaways.”
Gardner praised his squad’s resiliency during the finals.
“I am proud of our guys for battling back despite being down 3-1,” said Gardner.
Defeats Saugus
The Pioneers began the Kasabuski Christmas Classic defeating Saugus 3-0 Dec. 28.
Senior captain Dan O’Leary gave the Pioneers a 1-0 lead after scoring a power play goal 8:20 into the first period. Freshman Jagger Benson was credited with the assist. Lynnfield had a 1-0 advantage at the end of the first period.
The second period was a defensive battle between the Pioneers and Sachems, which enabled the locals to maintain a 1-0 lead after the second period.
Benson scored the locals’ second goal with less than two minutes remaining in the third period, assisted by LoConte.
LoConte scored the locals’ final goal at the end of the game after scoring an empty netter, assisted by Crampe.
Langone tallied 24 saves in between the pipes against Saugus.
Gardner commended the Pioneers’ performance against Saugus.
“We told our guys it was going to be a close game,” said Gardner. “We jumped out to an early lead. We had a ton of chances to extend the lead but we didn’t let it frustrate us because we stuck to our game plan.”
Defeats Triton
The Pioneers defeated Triton 4-2 on Jan. 2.
Benson scored the Pioneers’ first goal 1:58 into the first period, assisted by sophomore Tyler Murphy and Percoskie. Lynnfield had a 1-0 lead at the end of the first period.
O’Leary gave the Pioneers a 2-0 lead in the second period after scoring a power play goal at the 11:27 mark. LoConte was credited with the assist.
Crampe scored a power play goal at 9:48 in the third period, assisted by Benson and LoConte.
Mack gave the Pioneers a 4-0 lead 19 seconds after Crampe scored. LoConte and DeRoche were credited with the assist.
Triton scored two late goals at the five and two minute marks respectively even though the game was already out of reach.
Langone tallied 20 saves in net.
“I was happy with our overall performance,” said Gardner. “I can’t speak highly enough about our special teams. We scored two power play goals and killed a 5-3. I was disappointed we didn’t get the shutout but you learn over the course of the season how to finish out games.”
Ties Gloucester
The Pioneers tied Gloucester 4-4 on Dec. 23.
The Fishermen took a 1-0 lead 3:01 into the first period after scoring a short-handed goal. Gloucester scored its second goal two minutes later.
Benson cut the Pioneers’ deficit to one after scoring power play goal 8:03 into the first period, assisted by O’Leary and LoConte.
The Pioneers controlled the majority of the second period but the Fishermen scored a goal at the end of the second period, giving Gloucester a 3-1 lead.
Gloucester scored its fourth goal 22 seconds into the third period.
Undaunted, Lynnfield came roaring back. Murphy scored a goal 2:22 into the third period, assisted by sophomore Cooper Margengi and Percoskie.
Mack cut the Fishermen’s lead to one, 4-3, 4:11 into the third period. Freshmen Jaret Simpson and DeRoche were credited with the assist.
O’Leary scored a power play goal at the end of the third period, assisted by Benson and LoConte.
Langone tallied 16 saves in net for the Pioneers.
“I wish we came up with a win, but I am pleased the kids kept battling and got a tie,” said Gardner.
Upcoming games
The Pioneers host Masconomet on Wednesday, Jan. 6, beginning at 8:15 p.m. Lynnfield travels to Pentucket-Georgetown on Saturday, Jan. 9, beginning at 4 p.m.
