PEABODY — A matchup between two of the highest groups in Division 3 introduced a playoff ambiance to the McVann-O’Keefe Skating Rink.
In the tip, No. 2 Scituate spoiled Senior Day festivities towards No. 5 Lynnfield and got here away with a 3-1 boys hockey victory in a state match tuneup Saturday afternoon.
“It was a very even game. We looked at it coming in as a team that we’re going to see again,” Sailors coach Brian Hurcombe mentioned. “We’re going to see them in the tournament at some point.”
Scituate senior goaltender Thomas McMellen didn’t see a ton of motion early within the recreation, however was sharp within the third interval, making 11 of his 25 saves within the last body to earn the win in internet.
McMellen was the spine of a Scituate penalty kill that was an ideal 4-4 on the afternoon, together with three pressure-packed shorthanded conditions within the third whereas the Sailors had been clinging to a one-goal lead.
Scituate (14-3-2) additionally killed off a full two minutes of 5-on-3 time within the second to remain forward of the pesky Pioneers (8-9).
“(McMellen) is just getting better and better,” Hurcombe mentioned. “Having a guy playing like that, when you start playing these quality teams, you need that. He’s been fantastic.”
Scituate took the lead late within the first after Luke Ryan snapped residence a wrist shot on a two-on-one break off a pleasant feed from James Sullivan (two assists), who appeared to be in every single place early within the recreation.
Johnny Donahue went prime shelf on the quick aspect nook on a shot beneath the precise dot with simply 29 seconds left within the second to place the Sailors up 2-0, and the guests appeared to be cruising.
“Both of our top lines are really tough to stop right now,” Hurcombe mentioned. “Donahue’s scored two huge goals in the last couple games. That line is coming on, and Sullivan’s line … it gives us the ability to have a lot of threats out there.”
Lynnfield got here out with a surge to open the third. Will Norton discovered his approach in on their lonesome on McMellen simply over a minute into the interval, and whereas his shot was stopped, linemate Jarret Scoppettuolo was there to scrub up the rebound to chop the result in 2-1.
The Pioneers had three energy play possibilities within the last 10 minutes of the sport, however Scituate did a superb job clogging capturing lanes and McMellen was sq. to something that made it via the visitors.
Donahue scored his second of the sport with an empty internet to seal the cope with simply over a minute left to play.
Sophomore Michael Marenghi stopped 25 of the 27 pictures he confronted for the Pioneers and took the loss regardless of a robust effort in objective.
Source: www.bostonherald.com