CAPTAIN CHASE CARNEY will lead the No. 4 Pioneers into their first round matchup against No. 29 Northbridge on Saturday, 12 p.m. at McVann-O’Keefe. (File Photo)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
GLOUCESTER — In their final game of the regular season on Feb. 23, the Lynnfield High boys’ hockey team was edged by host Gloucester, 4-3, in overtime at the Talbot Rink. With that win, the Fishermen were able to sweep the non-league season series as they beat the Pioneers, 8-5, on New Year’s Day in the first meeting.
With the loss, the Pioneers ended the season at 16-3-1 while Gloucester ended up at 16-4. Lynnfield is a Division 3 team while the Fishermen is in Division 2.
“We couldn’t ask for a better tune-up for the state tournament,” said Lynnfield head coach Jon Gardner. “We outplayed them but got into some trouble with penalties.”
Emerson Marshall was the hero for the Fishermen scoring 19 seconds into the 4-on-4 overtime session on a rink-length rush.
After a scoreless first period, the Pioneers struck first as Chase Carney scored, assisted by Aiden Burke, just 14 seconds into the second.
Brett Cunningham tied the game assisted by Tim Marrone at the 3:59 mark. Colby Jewell, assisted by Cunningham and Marshall, gave the host their first lead on the power play with four minutes left in the second.
That goal was with a 5-on-3 advantage.
MIAA DIV. 3 BOYS’ HOCKEY BRACKET
In the third period, Burke tied it on the power play with Carney and Pat Barrett both assisting 1:59 in. Jack Delaney gave the Fishermen the lead again with 1:33 remaining assisted by Marshall and Jack Costanzo.
With goalie, Phinneas Mitchener, pulled for the extra attacker, the Pioneers got the game tying tally as Janssen Sperling scored with only nine seconds left to sent the game into overtime.
Mitchener was pulled with a little over a minute remaining.
Lynnfield outshot Gloucester on net, 28-23, as Mitchener made 20 saves to finish the regular season at 12-3-1.
The seedings came out for the Division 3 state tournament this past weekend and the Pioneers are the fourth seed. Their first game will be on Saturday afternoon at home as they welcome Northbridge to the McVann O’Keefe Rink in Peabody. The game will start at noon.
Northbridge is the 29th seed as they enter the game with a record of 5-11-2.
“They have been dealing with Covid and injury issues all year,” pointed out Gardner. “They play a good schedule and are much better than their record shows.”
Northbridge is located out in central Mass. in Whitinsville and they play in the Russell Conference.
The winner will meet the winner of No. 13 Nauset vs. No. 20 North Middlesex in the Round of 16.
