THE PLNR co-op girls’ hockey team skated past Masco 6-0 on Saturday at McVann-O’Keefe Rink for their 3rd victory in a row (NRHS Athletics Photo)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
PEABODY — The North Reading-Lynnfield-Peabody High co-op girls hockey team won its third-straight game on Saturday afternoon as they blanked guest Masconomet, 6-0, at the McVann-O’Keefe Rink in Peabody.
With that victory, the Tanners improved to 7-2-1 overall and 7-0-1 in the Northeast Hockey League as they stayed in first place.
The Tanners scored two goals in each period as they completed the season sweep over the 3-7 Chieftains.
Hannah Gromko got the first goal on the power play with North Reading’s Jenna DiNapoli, and Catie Kampersal both assisting with 5:31 left in the first period.
DiNapoli, assisted by Sarah Powers, made it 2-0, also on the power play, with 1:08 remaining in the first period.
DiNapoli netted her second goal of the afternoon, unassisted, 1:31 into the second period. Powers scored shorthanded, assisted by DiNapoli to made it 4-0 with 5:01 left in the second.
In the third, Powers made it 5-0 assisted by Gromko at the 11:16 mark. Kampersal had the final tally assisted by Catherine Sweeney and Powers on the power play with 51 seconds remaining.
“It was a big special-teams game for us,” said Tanners head coach Michelle Roach. “Jenna and Sarah each had two goals and two assists and really stepped up.”
North Reading senior co-captain, Audrey Buckley (3-1-1) posted the shutout in goal with 15 saves as the Tanners outshot the Chieftains on net 27-15. It was her first shutout of the year.
On Jan. 19, also at home, the Tanners beat Newburyport by a final of 4-1.
PLNR got off to a great start as they scored three times in the opening period. Kampersal scored twice while Gromko and Powers had one goal and one assist.
Ava Buckley (no relation to Audrey) led the team in assists with three.
Both teams scored once in the third period. Newburyport scored shorthanded with 6:41 left but Powers tally closed the door with 3:33 remaining.
“I was very happy with our start,” said Roach. “This was an important league game.”
The Tanners outshot the Clippers, 21-15, on net as goalie Alyse Mutti made 14 stops. Mutti, a North Reading resident, improved to 4-1 in net.
PLNR’s next game was Wednesday (Jan. 26) as they hosted Gloucester at the Talbot Rink after press time.
On Jan. 29, the Tanners welcome Beverly-Danvers with that game starting at 4 p.m.
