Beating Lincoln-Sudbury Friday night
Published in the March 9, 2017 edition
The Hornets hockey team celebrates its thrilling game-winning second overtime goal by James Doran. (Courtesy Photo/North Reading Super Fan)
By Stephen Martellucci
James Doran’s goal, in the second six-minute overtime session, gave the North Reading High hockey team a thrilling, 1-0, win over Lincoln-Sudbury in the Div. 2 North quarterfinals at the Chelmsford Forum last Friday. The goal came with just 3.2 seconds remaining on the clock setting off a wild celebration by the Hornets.
“It was the game of a lifetime,” stated North Reading head coach John Giuliotti. “It was a special moment and I was proud to be part of it.”
The first overtime was a four-on-four situation while the second one was a three-on-three when Doran scored.
“This is the first year they have done that,” said Giuliotti, about the overtime sessions. “It is exciting for the fans but not really the coaches.”
Had the second overtime finished, the game would have been decided in a shootout.
With that victory, the second-seeded Hornets improved to 16-2-3. They faced Stoneham on Tuesday night in the semifinals at the Tsongas Center in Lowell (results not available at press time).
The seventh-seeded Warriors, meanwhile, ended the year at 12-6-3.
North Reading was also able to avenge a, 5-4, overtime loss to the Warriors last year in the quarterfinal round.
“They have a very solid team again this year,” said Giuliotti.
Hornet goalie John Day posted the shutout turning back 27 L-S shots while Warrior goalie Cam Kessler made 37 saves on 38 Hornet shots.
“Both goalies were fantastic,” said Giuliotti.
If the Hornets beat the Spartans on Tuesday, they would play in the North final next Monday afternoon at 5:30. The opponent will be either Lowell Catholic or Saugus.
