Published February 6, 2019

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

PEABODY — The Lynnfield High boys’ hockey team punched its ticket to the Division 2 state tournament last Saturday afternoon as they edged guest Medfield 5-4 at the McVann-O’Keefe Rink. With that non-league victory, the Pioneers improved to 9-4-2 as they qualified for states for the fourth year in a row.

“It was our biggest win of the year,” stated Lynnfield head coach Jon Gardner. “They were undefeated coming in so it was nice to hand them their first loss this late into the season.”

It took only 23 seconds for the locals to score first as Dan Mack lit the lamp assisted by John Simonetti. Then, with 5:56 left in the first, Jaret Simpson scored on the power play assisted by George DeRoche.

Just 1:01 later, Simpson scored another power-play goal assisted by DeRoche and Ron Fuccillo.

JARET SIMPSON had two goals and an assist as the Pioneers beat previously undefeated Medfield 5-4 on Saturday at McVann-O’Keefe Rink. (Dan Pawlowski Photo)

The Warriors (9-1-4) stormed back scoring at the 8:45 and 10:30 marks of the second stanza.

They then tied the game on the power play 1:23 into the third period.

With 10:33 remaining in the game, the Pioneers took the lead for good as Will Garofoli scored assisted by Mike Caruso and Mack. Then, with 9:16 remaining, Jeff Floramo scored the fifth goal assisted by Simpson.

The Warriors got their final tally with the extra skater with 11 seconds left as the Pioneers were able to run out the clock.

Lynnfield outshot Medfield on goal, 26-24, as goalie Aidan Kelly made 20 saves to improve to 9-4-2 in net.

Late comeback beats Amesbury

On Jan. 30, the Pioneers had a come-from behind, 5-3, win over host Amesbury at the Valley Forum in Haverhill.

With that victory, Lynnfield improved to 5-2-2 in the Cape Ann League as they completed the season sweep over the Indians.

The Pioneers trailed 3-1 heading into the third as they erupted for four goals in the final 15 minutes.

“We finally woke up in the third,” said Gardner, who had a spirited intermission speech after the second period.

Simonetti scored on the power play 5:21 into the game assisted by Simpson.

Amesbury then answered with goals with 4:29 and 31 seconds left to go to the second up 2-1. The second goals was on the power play.

The Indians then made it 3-1 at the 4:10 mark of the second.

Lynnfield scored 56 seconds into the third as Simonetti scored his second goal of the night assisted by Mack and Garofoli. At the 7:43 mark, Fuccillo tied the game assisted by DeRoche.

Garofoli made it 4-3 with 5:22 left with DeRoche and Leo Quinn assisting.

Mack then scored on the empty net with 27 seconds left to close the door.

The Pioneers outshot the Indians on net, 24-19, as Kelly made 16 stops.

On Wednesday night (Feb. 6) the Pioneers host Newburyport at 8:15 p.m. Lynnfield then welcome Triton this Saturday at noon. The Pioneers tied Newburyport, 1-1, in their first meeting and lost to Triton, 4-3, in their first matchup.