MIDDLETON — Freshman Justin Thibert of Wilmington scored two first-period targets and the protection of the Shawsheen Tech boys hockey crew got here up huge for the second straight sport because the Rams defeated previously-undefeated Essex Tech on Saturday, 3-1.
“It’s huge,” stated Ram coach Chuck Baker after the victory. “I think it’s big right now at this time of the season. We threw in a wrinkle with the forecheck yesterday, which I was nervous about, but they bought into it and we slowed them down. I think we found a new way we’re going to start playing.”
Up 2-1 after one interval, Shawsheen pushed its result in two when sophomore Dylan Higson of Bedford scored on the rebound of his personal shot at 4:08 of the second.
The Rams made the lead get up behind junior goalie Mike Cedrone of Billerica, who made a terrific save on Essex junior Logan Casey of Beverly throughout an influence play, sliding to his left to make a pad save to foil Casey’s bid from the publish.
In the third, Shawsheen (11-2-1 general) killed two penalties, together with one with 1:33 remaining with the Panther internet empty. The quartet of Higson, junior Brody Amenkowicz of Billerica, senior Nick Calouro of Tewksbury and Kevin Ackerley of Wilmington stayed on the ice for the complete 93 seconds of the penalty kill.
Since a 4-0 loss to Essex on Jan. 16, the Rams are 4-0-1, with solely 5 targets allowed throughout that stretch.
“We did a good job today,” Baker stated of his protection. “We took care of the puck, that’s the biggest thing.”
Shawsheen opened the scoring at 3:19 of the primary interval when Thibert rifled a wrist shot into the highest nook.
“He’s one of those special kids,” Baker stated. “Justin is a solid player. He’s got some skill.”
After Cedrone stopped a clear breakaway by Essex sophomore Brady Leonard of Peabody, Thibert scored for the Rams solely 28 seconds later when he completed a cross from junior Roland Spengler of Tewksbury at 5:58.
Essex lower the lead in half at 9:39 when sophomore Jaydan Vargas of Peabody made a steal along with his crew shorthanded and completed a breakaway.
At 11:02, Shawsheen was whistled for 2 penalties on the identical play, leaving the Rams down two males for 2 minutes, however a unit of Calouro, Ackerley and Amenkowicz, together with the trio of Higson, sophomore Larry Cullity of Billerica and senior Evan Curtis of Burlington ,efficiently killed the penalties.
Shawsheen finishes its Commonwealth Athletic Conference league schedule in opposition to Northeast Regional on Thursday and can want some assist whether it is to catch Essex for the convention championship.
Essex performs Lowell Catholic to complete the CAC marketing campaign and can win the league title with a victory.
Source: www.bostonherald.com