PEABODY — It has quietly change into one of many higher rivalries in Division 1 women hockey.
And on Wednesday at McVann-O’Keene Rink, Winthrop and Peabody gave followers a tournament-like battle.
The unbeaten Vikings had an early 2-0 lead earlier than Peabody rallied again to tie issues, however Hannah Parker’s second-period purpose held up because the winner in a 3-2 Winthrop victory.
The win strikes Winthrop to 12-0-0 and 11-0-0 within the Northeastern Hockey League, giving the Vikings a two-game buffer over the Tanners (12-3-0, 11-2-0).
“This really has become a rivalry over the last few years and that’s a credit to what Michelle (Roach) has done over there. This really was a battle and I’m glad to come out on the end we did,” Winthrop coach Anthony Martucci stated.
The manner issues started, it appeared just like the Vikings would possibly blow the Tanners out of their residence barn.
Less than a minute into the sport, Emma Holmes beat Alyse Mutti on the primary Winthrop shot of the night time. Just below three minutes later, the Vikings have been shorthanded however turned the tables as Mia Norris fended off a backchecker and flicked a shot over Mutti to make it 2-0.
Instead of taking a timeout, Roach determined to let her squad attempt to get happening the facility play. It proved to be a clever selection as Shirley Whitmore banged residence an Angela Fabbo rebound simply 71 seconds later to chop the margin to 2-1.
Just over three minutes later, the Tanners acquired again on the facility play and evened the sport. Taking a go from sister Chloe within the impartial zone, Hannah Gromko raced up the fitting aspect and fired a shot over Riley Towse’s shoulder.
“I was really proud of how well we kept fighting after the way we started,” Roach stated. “Our effort was huge.”
For as frantic as the primary quarter-hour have been, issues settled down right into a extra managed tempo within the center interval. Forechecking made getting out of the defensive zone a problem and pictures on purpose a premium. Fittingly, it was a tough working play that acquired the Vikings again in entrance.
Parker took a go from Talia Martucci within the left wing nook and minimize out to the left circle and snapped a troublesome angle shot previous Mutti for a 3-2 lead.
“Hannah is one of our hardest workers and she really deserves to get a goal like that,” Martucci stated.
Peabody saved battling within the third as a change to its checking recreation allowed the Tanners to crank up the stress. It almost paid off with eight minutes left however a whistle on a scrum in entrance of the online took away the potential tying purpose.
Winthrop’s protection did the remainder, together with a improbable effort within the ultimate 90 seconds that saved Peabody from pulling Mutti for an additional skater till inside the ultimate minute.
“Peabody came out and answered the bell and we had to do the same,” Martucci stated.
Source: www.bostonherald.com