Pioneers (7-2-1) still control first-place in CAL
Published in the January 17, 2018 edition
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
PEABODY — Last Saturday afternoon, the Lynnfield High hockey team tied guest Triton, 2-2, at McVann-O’Keefe Rink. With that result, the Pioneers record went to 7-2-1 overall and 3-1-1 in the Cape Ann League.
Joe Mack scored the game-tying tally with .2 seconds left in the game on a 6-on-3 as the Pioneers were able to steal a point. Will Garofoli and George DeRoche got credit for the assists.
After a scoreless first period, the Vikings scored 1:48 into the second period.
Lynnfield tied it 3:43 into the third as DeRoche scored assisted by Robert Brandano and Tyler Murphy.
Triton then took advantage of a pair of penalties scoring on a 5-on-3 power play with 3:12 left in the game.
With a little over a minute left, head coach Jon Gardner pulled goalie Aidan Kelly for the extra attacker. Triton then committed a pair of penalties in the final minute to give Lynnfield a three-man advantage.
“We came out flat early and then started to take over in the second period,” said Gardner.
The Pioneers outshot the Vikings on net, 26-24, as Kelly made 22 saves.
Clipped by Newburyport, 3-1
On Wednesday, Jan. 10, in a game for first place in the CAL, the Pioneers fell to visiting Newburyport, 3-1.
“It was a really good effort by us,” said Gardner. “Their last goal came on the empty net.”
The Clippers scored 2:58 into the first period and they made it 2-0, 3:01 into the second.
With 8:38 left in the second, Jaret Simpson scored on the power play assisted by Mack and Cooper Marengi.
Kelly was then pulled with a little over a minute left in the game and the Clippers closed the door with an empty-net goal with .27 seconds left.
“We were not able to capitalize on the power play enough,” said Gardner.
Lynnfield outshot Newburyport on goal, 28-15, as Kelly had 12 saves.
This Saturday at noon, the Pioneers will play their fifth home game in a row as they welcome Masconomet to McVann-O’Keefe.