Published March 4, 2020

THE PIONEERS stuck together during a strong 2019-20 season. (Robin DeBenedictis Photo)

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

WOBURN — Lynnfield High boys’ hockey head coach Jon Gardner knew his team faced a uphill challenge when the Division 2 North tournament seedings came out and he learned that his team would be facing North Andover in the first round.

The Scarlet Knights, a team out of the Merrimack Valley Conference-Dual County League, showed why Gardner had a reason to be concerned as they won 5-2 on Feb. 25 at O’Brien Rink in Woburn.

With that defeat, the 11th-seeded Pioneers ended the year at 11-8-2. Sixth-seeded North Andover, meanwhile, then went on to beat Tewksbury 3-2 in the quarterfinal round last Friday night to improve to 14-3-6.

The Scarlet Knights took on Lincoln-Sudbury in the semifinal round on Tuesday night (results not available at press time).

“They are the best team we have faced all year,” stated Gardner. “They have great depth.”

North Andover’s first goal came with 2:57 left in the first period as TJ Fredo scored on a rebound of a shot by Adam Heinze.

ROB TASHJIAN pressures the puck against North Andover in D2N first round matchup at O’Brien Ice Rink. The senior tallied a goal and an assist for the Pioneers. (Robin DeBenedictis Photo)

Their second tally also came off a rebound as Thomas Doherty beat goalie Jake DeBenedictis with 10:10 remaining in the second period. Nick Herald, whose initial shot was saved, got the assist.

The Scarlet Knights’ third tally also came on a rebound as Jimmy Boyle scored on his own shot.

“We picked a bad time to give up the inside and not take their sticks out,” said Gardner, about allowing the three rebound goals.

North Andover continued to pour it on in the third period as Heinze scored with 10:58 left assisted by Fredo.

Just 1:35 later, the Knights got their final tally on a Herald goal. Dario Diblasi and Mike Harty were both credited with the assists.

Despite the deficit, the Pioneers did not fold their tents.

Sean Robbins got the locals on the scoreboard with 8:18 left assisted by Rob Tashjian.

Tashjian then netted the second goal on a breakaway, unassisted, with 32.2 seconds left to round out the scoring.

“I was pleased with the way we finished out the game,” said Gardner.

The Knights outshot the Pioneers 31-19 as DeBenedictis made 26 stops. North Andover goalie Patrick Green had 17 saves.