MCVANN-O’KEEFE rink was the scene of Lynnfield’s massive 5-1 victory over rival North Reading on senior night in a battle for the Cape Ann League title. The Pioneers are CAL champs for the first time since 2005. The nine seniors honored before the game were Patrick Barrett, Aidan Burke, Chase Carney, Evan Fitzemeyer, Owen Kennedy, Phineas Mitchener, Tyler Scoppettuolo, Janssen Sperling and Will Steadman. (LHS Athletics Photo)

 

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

PEABODY — The Lynnfield High boys’ hockey team won its seventh game in a row on Monday afternoon knocking off host Medford, 5-0, in a non-league contest at LoConti Rink. With that result, the Division 3 tournament-bound Pioneers improved to 13-2 on the season.

Lynnfield led, 3-0, after the first period and, 5-0, after the second.

Chase Carney scored the first goal on the power play 4:59 in assisted by Drew Damiani. With 5:04 remaining, Aidan Burke made it 2-0 with linemates Carney and Damiani assisting.

Just 27 seconds later, Carney made it 3-0 with Will Steadmen picking up the assist.

In the second stanza, Carney notched the hat trick assisted by Burke at the 5:26 mark. Jarred Scoppetuolo had the final tally, assisted by Lucas Cook, with 5:55 left in the second.

“He just keeps doing what he has been doing,” said Pioneers head coach Jon Gardner, about Carney. “He is also good at setting his teammates up.”

Carney, the team’s top scorer, has already amassed 27 goals this winter as he recorded his fourth hat trick of the season.

Lynnfield outshot the Mustangs 33-16, as Pioneer goalie Evan Fitzemeyer recorded his second shutout of the season. He is now 4-0.

Last Saturday afternoon, it was a memorable Senior Day on two fronts for the team. First of all, the host Pioneers beat rival North Reading by a final of 5-1 at the McVann O’Keefe Rink in Peabody. Second of all, that victory captured the Cape Ann League title.

It is the first league crown for the team since the 2004-2005 squad as the Pioneers were also able to avenge a 5-2 loss to the Hornets back on Jan. 12.

In the first period, Will Steadmen scored the first goal assisted by Burke and Damiani 3:32 in. Damiani then made it 2-0 at the 5:09 mark assisted by Carney.

In the second, Lynnfield netted three more goals to head into the second intermission comfortably up 5-0.

Carney scored on a power play a minute in unassisted. Burke had the fourth tally, assisted by Steadmen and Carney 4:25 in.

Carney had the final Lynnfield goal with 35 seconds left assisted by Damiani.

The Hornets avoided the shutout in the third as Cole Lopilato scored 5:17 into the period.

“That was our biggest win of the year,” stated Gardner. “The guys remembered what happened in our first game against them and, this time, they delivered.”

Phineas Mitchener improved to 9-2 in goal as he made 17 saves. Lynnfield outshot the Hornets 32-18.

Before the game, the nine Lynnfield seniors were honored: Burke, Carney, Fitzemeyer, Mitchener, Scoppettuolo, Steadman, Patrick Barrett, Owen Kennedy and Janssen Sperling.

The Pioneers improved to 9-1 in the CAL.

Lynnfield’s next game will be this Saturday (Feb. 12) at noon as they face former Cape Ann League team Masconomet at home.

“They are in first place in the Northeastern Conference,” pointed out Gardner. “We still have some ties with them even though they are not in our league anymore.”

Lynnfield was ranked 4th in the MIAA’s latest statewide Div. 3 boys’ hockey power rankings behind only Marlborough (1st, 12-0-1), Hanover (2nd, 10-4-1) and Scituate (3rd, 11-4). North Reading is ranked 12th.