Published in the February 21, 2018 edition

THE SENIORS on the LHS hockey team were honored with their families before Lynnfield’s game against Westwood on Saturday’s Senior Day at McVann-O’Keefe Rink. The seniors are Zachary Rothwell, Robert Brandano, Tyler Murphy, Cooper Marengi, Joseph Mack and Kyle Nekoroski. (Dan Pawlowski Photo)

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

PEABODY — It was a successful Senior Day for the Lynnfield High boys hockey team last Saturday afternoon as they defeated Westwood, 4-1, at McVan-O’Keefe Rink in Peabody. With that victory, the Pioneers improved to 11-4-2 overall.

“That was a real huge win for us,” said Lynnfield head coach Jon Gardner. “We hyped up the north vs. the south as they are one of the better teams down south.”

Jaret Simpson got the locals on the scoreboard in the first period assisted by Cooper Marengi and Joey Mack. George DeRoche scored the team’s other first period goal.

The Wolverines cut the lead in half early in the second and the score stayed 2-1 heading into the third.

With under five minutes left in the game, DeRoche made it 3-1 with Mack assisting.

DeRoche then recorded his second hat trick of the year scoring on the empty net in the final minute of the game as Westwood pulled their goalie with a little over two minutes left.

Lynnfield outshot the Wolverines on net, 22-18, as goalie Aidan Kelly made 17 saves to go to 11-4-2.

Tie NR

In a wild game on Feb. 13, the Pioneers tied host North Reading, 5-5, at Kasabuski Rink in Saugus. With that tie, the Pioneers went to 6-3-2 in the Cape Ann League.

The Hornets scored the game-tying tally with 21 seconds left with their goalie pulled.

Mack scored the first goal of the game on the power play in the first period with DeRoche and Simpson assisting. Later on in the first, the Hornets tied it on the power play.

DeRoche then scored later on to give the Pioneers a 2-1 lead heading into the second.

Mack then made it 3-1 just 28 seconds into the second assisted by Marengi and DeRoche. Shortly after, Tyler Murphy scored on the power play assisted by DeRoche to increase the lead to three.

The Hornets then scored back-to-back goals with the second one coming on a five-on-three power play.

Mack then got his second hat trick of the year to up the lead to two heading into the third.

The Hornets then scored another power-play goal with 7:55 left and tie it with 21 seconds left with their goalie lifted.

“We struggled on the penalty kill,” admitted Gardner. “We couldn’t clear the pucks out of our zone and that is what cost us the win.”

On Wednesday night at 7 p.m., the Pioneers visit Gloucester at Talbot Rink. They wrap up the regular season on Friday afternoon as they take on host Medfield at Pirelli Rink in Franklin. That game will start at 3 p.m.

This Saturday, the Pioneers will find out who they will open with in the Division 2 state tournament. The states start up next week.