THE PLNR co-op girls’ hockey team celebrated their seniors before a victory over Shawsheen/Bedford on Saturday at McVann-O’Keefe Rink. The seven seniors from Lynnfield honored were Jenna Mack, Lauryn Millar, Maddie Monkiewicz, Jaiden Moynihan and Catherine Sweeney. (LHS Athletics Photo)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
PEABODY — The Lynnfield-Peabody-North Reading High co-op girls hockey team beat visiting Shawsheen-Bedford, 4-1, last Saturday at the McVann-O’Keefe Rink. With that Senior Day win, the Tanners improved to 10-3-1 overall and 10-1-1 (second place) in the Northeast Hockey League.
They also completed the season sweep over the Rams as they beat them 7-2 in the first meeting back on Dec. 18.
Lynnfield’s Sarah Powers scored the first goal 6:52 into the game unassisted. She then made it 2-0 with 1:02 left assisted by Shirley Whitmore.
Catie Kampersal of Lynnfield made it 3-0 with 2:46 remaining in the second period. That tally was unassisted.
In the third period, Ella Chase had the fourth goal assisted by Lynnfield’s Hannah Gromko and Maddie Monkiewicz.
The Rams avoided the shutout scoring with 2:58 left.
PLNR outshot Shawsheen-Bedford 18-13. Audrey Buckley improved to 5-2-2 in net as she made 12 stops.
“It was a good win for us,” said Tanners head coach Michelle Roach. “It was especially good that it came on Senior Day. It has been nice to see how they have grown over the years.”
Before the game, the Tanner seniors were honored including Monkiewicz, Jenna Mack, Lauryn Millar, Jaiden Moynihan and Catherine Sweeney.
It was a good bounce-back win for the team after getting edged, 1-0, by host Winthrop on Feb. 2 at the Larsen Rink.
The Vikings took over first place in the NHL with the win as the teams tied, 2-2, in the first game on Dec. 29.
Talia Martucci had the lone goal of the evening just 1:05 into the first period.
This game was penalty-plagued as the schools combined for 15 penalties overall.
“The game had a lack of flow and it was very physical,” said Roach.
Viking goalie Summer Tallent was the star in this one as she came up big recording 35 saves.
“She was phenomenal,” admitted Roach. “We put a lot of shots on her and had some great opportunities but couldn’t get anything behind her.”
The Tanners outshot the Vikings 35-21 as Buckley made 20 saves.
PLNR will now play back-to-back games on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, they visit Newburyport at 7 p.m. at the Graf Rink looking for the season sweep over the Clippers.
The next morning, they face host Marblehead at 10:30 a.m. That game will take place at Salem State University.
“It is going to be tough,” said Roach about the two games so close to each other.
The Tanners were ranked 12th in the MIAA’s latest Div. 1 statewide power rankings. Austin Prep (15-0), Arlington (8-1-1), St. Mary’s of Lynn (7-2-2), Acton-Boxborough (7-2-1) and Shrewsbury (6-4-1) make up the top five in D1.
