Published January 23, 2019

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

NEWBURYPORT — The Lynnfield High boys’ hockey team was edged, 4-3, by host Triton last Saturday afternoon at the Graf Rink in Newburyport. With that defeat, the Pioneers record fell to 6-4-2 overall and 3-2-2 in the Cape Ann League.

The Vikings scored the game-winning goal with 3:03 left on the power play.

Things started off well for the locals as they scored the first two goals of the day. George DeRoche, the team’s top scorer, scored 4:12 into the game unassisted. Jaret Simpson then scored on the power play at the 8:07 mark assisted by Ron Fuccillo and John Simonetti.

GEORGE DeROCHE (10) got to celebrate with his teammates plenty of times on Jan. 15 against the Hornets when he scored a hat trick to help the Pioneers get a 7-2 win. (Dan Pawlowski Photo)

However, the hosts scored two shorthanded goals in a 1:12 span, The first one came with 2:18 left in the first while the second one came with 1:06 left in the third.

Triton’s third goal was scored with less than one second left in the second period on the power play.

With 4:02 left in the game, Simonetti tied it assisted by DeRoche.

“Our special teams cost us,” admitted Lynnfield head coach Jon Gardner. “When we played them 5-on-5 we did well.”

The Pioneers outshot the Vikings (6-3-1) on net, 23-21. Lynnfield goalie Aidan Kelly made 17 saves as his record dipped to 6-4-2.

Sting Hornets, 7-2

On Jan. 15, the news was much better as the visiting Pioneers rolled over North Reading, 7-2, at the Kasabuski Rink in Saugus.

DeRoche recorded his first hat trick of the season while Simpson, Sam Pifko, Will Garafoli and Rob Tashjian all scored once. Simpson and Garafoli’s goals were on the power play.

Lynnfield led 3-1 after the opening period and 5-2 after the second.

“We have been struggling to score but we were able to cap off our plays in that game,” said Gardner.

The Pioneers outshot the Hornets on goal, 25-16, as Kelly made 14 saves.

This Saturday night (Jan. 26) the Pioneers go to the Haverhill High Rink to take on host Pentucket at 7 p.m. They then return to Haverhill on Jan. 30 to play Amesbury. That game will be at the Valley Forum and will start at 8 p.m.