THE NRHS boys’ hockey team celebrates their Jeff Hayes Tournament championship on Cape Cod. (Courtesy Photo)
By DAN ZIMMERMAN
HAVERHILL — After claiming the Cape Cod-based Jeff Hayes Tournament early last week and dispatching Amesbury with ease in the regular season finale, the North Reading boys’ hockey team is now riding a four-game winning streak as they prepare for the MIAA Ice Hockey Tournament, which commences this weekend.
Following the tabulation of a complicated mix of win-loss records, strength of schedule, and in some instances, scoring differentials, the MIAA finalized the pairing of thirty-four Division 3 hockey teams. North Reading, seeded No. 10 drew Cape Ann League foe and No. 23 Triton, a club that the Hornets defeated in a pair of 3-2 cliffhangers during the regular season.
Third-year Coach Brian McAuliffe, who wrapped up the 2021-22 campaign with an enviable 14-4-2 overall record, knows all too well that Triton represents a true challenge, despite the disparate records and tournament rankings.
“Triton is a well-coached, hard-working team with ample skill,” said the coach. “They graduated the number one team in the State last year but due to Covid, there was no tournament for them. This game might be a rallying cry for them.”
Last Monday, the Hornets made the trek to Falmouth to take part in the Jeff Hayes Tournament, which featured a round-robin style of competition between Nantucket, Sandwich, Auburn, and North Reading. An entourage of family and supporters traveled with the Hornets and on the first day, they urged the boys to a shootout win over Nantucket. On the next day, in the championship round, North Reading claimed the title via a decisive 3-0 triumph over Sandwich.
“Sandwich came in as the No. 2-ranked team in Division 4 hockey,” said McAuliffe. I scouted them and I knew it was going to be tough. Before the game, we convinced the kids to come out flying and quickly take control. We were on them early and played relentlessly.”
Goal scorers in the championship game were senior Nick Albano and sophomore Duncan Gulino, both drilling home pucks from the doorstep. Andrew Daley added an empty-netter to wrap up the second Jeff Hayes title in eleven tries. The previous Hornets’ win took place in 2018. Much-deserved credit to senior goalie Sam Elliott, who faced 33-shots and blanked a Sandwich club that scored 76-goals during the season.
While the Hornets played what was described by one observer as “near-perfect” defensively in the title game, it was the opening round that proved to be far more compelling for the large turnout of North Reading faithful gathered at the Gallo Ice Arena in Bourne.
Nantucket jumped out to an early lead, 2:08 into the game on a power play goal from Jack Billings. North Reading answered with little delay, as freshman Thomas Gazda provided the equalizer minutes later.
“For a freshman, that was a huge accomplishment,” said McAuliffe. “It was a real gritty goal. He kept digging and digging, and outmuscled everybody.”
More than two periods of relative quiet ensued, ultimately leading to a scoreless four-on-four overtime segment, and finally, a shootout. As the players caught their breath, the officials notified McAuliffe that, as the designated home team, he would choose the order. He decided to go second, and selected Cole Lopilato, Andrew Daley, and Matt Ryan. The first Nantucket skater was denied by goalie Blake McMeniman. Lopilato, despite a great move was, in turn, rebuffed. McMeniman suppressed the second Nantucket shooter and the Hornets next turned to scoring leader Andrew Daley.
MIAA DIV. 3 BOYS’ HOCKEY TOURNAMENT
“In shootout practices, we noticed Andrew was going five-hole,” said McAuliffe. “Not that I was taking credit for his success but I reminded him that five-hole had been working for him. He skated in and fired, right between the goalie’s legs.”
Nantucket followed with a controversial score to knot it at 1-1. McAuliffe was certain that McMeniman made contact with the puck as the skater approached which would have nullified the goal. The official disagreed and it was allowed.
The Hornets’ fate now rested in the capable hands of Matt Ryan, who was fresh off his hat trick against Northeast. Ryan collected the puck, skated in, and then came to a near stop. He picked his spot and let it fly, beating the goaltender top shelf to send his team to the championship round.
Earlier in the season, North Reading dominated Amesbury, 6-2. In Thursday’s matinee rematch at the Haverhill Valley Forum, which marked the season finale, the Hornets skated to another rout, 6-0. In a penalty-laden game, two of the six Hornet goals were netted on the man-advantage. There was also a shorthanded tally from Daley, who added a pair to his team-leading total of 28-points (17-goals, 11-goals). Other goal scorers included Max Forristall, Vincent Pastore, along with Dean Rooney, and Lopilato, each finishing the season with 9.
“There was fear that after winning the tournament on the Cape, there might have been a letdown today,” said McAuliffe. “But we came out hard and took care of business early.”
McMeniman faced 22-shots and was particularly impressive down the stretch when Amesbury pressed to snap the shutout.
“I just kept doing whatever I could to keep the puck out of the net,” said the freshman netminder, who allowed only 1-goal in his last two outings. “We’ve been building momentum as we get ready for the playoffs ahead.”
Speaking of the playoffs, North Reading will host the Triton Vikings in the MIAA Division 3 opening round at the Burbank Arena in Reading on Saturday night at 8 p.m.
