ALYSE MUTTI and the PLNR girls’ hockey team secures the Northeastern Hockey League title with a 5-0 victory over Marblehead (Feb 14). The Tanners were ranked No. 7 in the latest D1 MIAA power rankings. (Eric Evans File Photo)

 

 

After press time: PLNR defeats Marblehead 5-0 and secures Northeastern League Title (Feb 14)
PLNR defeats Medford 7-0 (Feb 17)
PLNR defeats defeats Bishop Fenwick 5-0 (Feb 19)

 

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

WINTHROP — On Dec. 27, the North Reading-Lynnfield-Peabody High co-op girls’ hockey team beat Winthrop, 2-1, to snap the Vikings 41-game regular-season winning streak.

On Monday night, the two teams met again at the Larsen Arena. This time, Winthrop won as they edged the Tanners, 1-0, to get a split of the season series.

PLNR will still win the Northeastern Hockey League title as they fell to 13-3 overall and 13-1 in the NHL while Winthrop will finish in second at 11-2-2 overall and 10-2-2 in the league.

The lone goal came in the third period with 13:23 left as Reese Ferraia scored assisted by Amelia Spencer.

In the second, the Tanners thought they had scored but the goal was called back by the officials.

PLNR had a late power play opportunity in the third but couldn’t capitalize.

Tanner goalie Alyse Mutti of North Reading made 27 saves as her record dipped to 13-3.

On Feb. 10, the news was much better as PLNR steamrolled host Newburyport, 10-3, at the Graf Rink.

That win gave the Tanners a season sweep over the Clippers as Newburyport fell to 3-12 and 3-11 in the NHL.

With the scored knotted a two in the first period, PLNR erupted for five goals in just over five minutes to take command.

Ava Buckley led the offense with a pair of goals and four assists. North Reading’s Mia Lava and Shirley Whitmore both lit the lamp twice as well.

Alexa Pepper, Erin Dee and Catie Kampersal all had one goal and one assist.

Abby McInerney had the other tally.

Pepper, Dee and McInerney are all North Reading residents.

McInerney was the player who had the goal called back against Winthrop.

The next game for the Tanners is on Feb. 17 as they go to the LoConti Rink to take on host Medford-Malden at 3 p.m.

PLNR then hosts non-league Bishop Fenwick on Feb. 19 at 11 a.m. at the McVann-O’Keefe Rink in Peabody.

The Tanners wrap up the regular season on Feb. 21 as they welcome the Haverhill-North Andover-Pentucket co-op team in another non-league contest. Face-off is at 5:15 p.m.

Peabody is seeded 7th in the MIAA Division 1 power rankings this week.