Published February 12, 2020

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

PEABODY — Last Friday afternoon, the Lynnfield High hockey team lost to host Newburyport 5-2 at Graf Rink in a game that was closer than the final would indicate.

The Clippers were able to get a split of the season series as the Pioneers fell to 10-6-2 overall and 5-4-2 in the Cape Ann League.

“Our biggest problem has been our slow starts and we had no intensity in that first period,” admitted Pioneers head coach Jon Gardner, whose squad trailed 3-0 after the first period.

Newburyport scored three times in a 4:11 span in that period with one of them coming on the power play.

Sam Pifko got the locals on the scoreboard with 4:20 left in the second on a breakaway assisted by Nate Alves and Dan Mack.

THE PIONEERS honored their 11 seniors before their 6-0 win over Saugus at McVann-O’Keefe Rink on Feb. 5. The 11 seniors are Anthony Magwood, Dan Mack, Colin Dennison, Christian Maney, Robert Tashjian, Sean Robbins, Sam Pifko, Jack LaCoste, Ronnie Fuccillo, Jackson Hammersley and John Simonetti. (Robin DeBenedictis Photo)

Lynnfield then cut the lead to one just 1:36 into the third as Alex Buonopane scored assisted by Brendan Henehan and Pat Barrett.

However, the Clippers scored with 1:53 remaining and then got an empty-net tally 43 seconds later.

Lynnfield outshot Newburyport 24-22 as Pioneer goalie Jake DeBenedictis made 17 saves to drop to 9-6-2 overall.

It was a happy Senior Night for the team on Feb. 5, as they blanked guest Saugus 6-0 at the McVann-O’Keefe Rink in Peabody.

Lynnfield led 1-0 after the opening period and 4-0 after the second.

Pifko led the way with his third hat trick of the season. Single Pioneer goals were scored by Jackson Hammersley (power play), John Simonetti and Phil Berquist.

Simonetti led the team in assists with three to finish the night with four points.

Senior Anthony Magwood made his varsity debut in net a memorable one, posting the shutout with 16 saves.

“He made the most of his opportunity,” said Gardner, who was very happy for Magwood.

Lynnfield, who honored their 11 seniors and their families before the game, had 28 shots on net.

The next game for the Division 2 playoff-bound Pioneers will be on Feb. 12 as they take on host North Reading at the Kasabuski Rink in Saugus. Faceoff is at 5:10 p.m.