Published February 25, 2021
By DAN ZIMMERMAN
NEWBURYPORT — In the midst of onerous COVID-19 restrictions, the North Reading hockey team succeeded where other programs failed and overcame unprecedented duress to complete their hockey season.
Not only did the Hornets skate through a dozen competitive games, they realized measurable improvement down the stretch after a number of rocky outings at the outset. They also reached the Cape Ann League tournament semifinals, only to fall to nemesis Triton.
Even in elimination, North Reading took their opponent the distance, forcing overtime. But Triton proved one better, advancing to the final with a 2-1 defeat of the stubborn Hornets. The Vikings would later fall to eventual CAL champion Newburyport, 3-2.
North Reading wrapped-up the 2020-21 campaign with a 4-7-1 overall record, good for fourth place of the seven clubs that safely reached the finish line.
“That Triton team we faced was loaded with talent,” said North Reading coach Brian McAuliffe. “They had a lot of seniors and had only lost two players from a group that made it to the North final last year. But our boys have nothing to hang their heads over. Everybody, on both sides, gave it their all and left everything on the ice. Unfortunately, we came out on the losing end.”
In the season opener, Triton dispatched North Reading with relative ease, 3-0. In the rematch weeks later, the Vikings claimed a 3-2 win, despite the efforts of senior Sal Schille, who rang up both Hornet goals on the man-advantage.
In the third meeting, the CAL semifinal staged at the Henry Graf Rink On Feb. 17, the combatants skated through a scoreless first period. It wasn’t until midway though the middle frame that Triton struck for a go-ahead goal, as Trevor Quigley beat netminder Marty Pierce with a blast from the point.
Pierce was stonewalling Triton, coming up with a number of remarkable saves to keep it a one-goal contest. On a pair of occasions, the Viking bench erupted in celebration after what they thought was a goal only to learn that Pierce had made yet another sensational stop.
“Marty completely robbed them, time after time,” said McAuliffe of his freshman goalie. “It was absolutely unbelievable, some of the saves he made.”
Meanwhile, North Reading had a taste of that near-miss medicine when a Jonathan Patch goal was called back with just under three minutes remaining in regulation. Time was slipping away from the Hornets. McAuliffe traded Pierce for an extra attacker and the strategy paid dividends. Frank Brachanow took a feed from Patch and polished it off to tie the game with 1:40 left. Andrew Daley also figured in the dramatic goal that kept the Hornets’ hopes alive. Unfortunately, while skating four-on-four in the overtime segment, an official whistled a questionable interference penalty, handing Triton a power play, and ultimately the win, via an Aidan Lowry wraparound with 11 seconds left.
“We certainly came ready to play and I think we took them by surprise,” said McAuliffe. “We played a physical hockey game, executed well, and got some pretty good chances.”
“Our team really showed a lot of heart at the end of the Triton game,” said Hornet goalie Pierce. “We showed a lot of resilience. It was obviously a disappointment, especially for the seniors. But overall, I think we made the best out of the season and had a lot of fun along the way.”
Considering how well North Reading played in recent games, it stands to reason that they could have ended up with a winning season and perhaps, a deep MIAA tournament run, had there been one. With Pierce and Sam Elliott sharing time between the pipes, players like Brachanow (5-goals), Schille (5-goals), Patch (4-goals) Nick Pasquale (4-goals), and Matt Ryan (3-goals) were just starting to come into their own. It’s a shame Hornet supporters won’t have a chance to see more from these senior skaters.
Speaking of supporters, just prior to the CAL tournament, the North Reading Fire Department, led by Captain Eric Pepper and CJ Hadley of Engine 3, held a rolling rally at the high school. It was yet another example of North Reading pride on display during this ongoing pandemic.
“We were just starting to click and trending in the right direction,” said McAuliffe, when asked to reflect on the virus-shortened season. “If we were to play eight more games and reach the typical 20, plus the postseason, I can only imagine what we could have achieved. But at least we had a chance to play. We came in not knowing if we would have a season. To be able to play, and have the excitement with a lot of great hockey and athleticism, that was a real bonus, particularly for the seniors.”
“Even though it was a disappointing end to the season, our team showed grit and determination and never gave up,” said junior Andrew Daley, who accounted for four Hornet goals. “If it had been a longer season, I have no doubt we would have continued to battle hard and play some really good hockey.”
Noteworthy is junior Matt Ryan, who was named League All-Star, one of only 14 players to earn that honor. Receiving tribute as All-Stars was senior captain Nick Pasquale, senior captain Salvatore Schille and senior Ryan Fabrizio.
Departing North Reading seniors include Francis Brachanow, Sean Brown, Timothy Buckley, Derek Danis, Michael Dee, Ryan Fabrizio, Dylan Kelleher, Kyle Moore, Nicholas Pasquale, Jonathan Patch, Joseph Robishaw and Salvatore Schille.
“Throughout, I think we all had a great time,” concluded McAuliffe. “There were a lot of schools that were shut down as a result of COVID and didn’t have seasons. I take a lot of pride in the fact that we were smart and managed it well. It was on them – the kids. They get all the credit for doing the right things and preserving our hockey season.”
