Published January 1, 2020
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
BOSTON — In the title game of the Mike Giordano Christmas Tournament at Murphy Memorial Rink in South Boston, the Lynnfield High hockey team beat Boston Latin Academy 6-2 on Dec. 27.
With that victory, the Pioneers improved to 3-1-1 overall. It is only the second year of the tournament and Lynnfield’s first time winning it.
THE PIONEERS were crowned champions of the Mike Giordano Christmas Tournament held at Murphy Memorial Rink in South Boston on Thursday and Friday. (Robin DeBenedictis Photo)
“To win any kind of Christmas Tournament is always a reason to be happy,” said Pioneers head coach Jon Gardner, about his squad’s performance in both games.
Boston Latin Academy scored the game’s first goal on a power play but the Pioneers answered with a power-play tally of their own later on in the first and the game was tied 1-1 heading into the second.
Freshman Drew Damiani tied it with tri-captain John Simonetti assisting.
The Pioneers took the lead early in the second on a Brendan Henehan goal but Latin tied it up thanks to a bad bounce of the puck.
RONNIE FUCCILLO was named MVP of the Mike Giordano Christmas Tournament. The senior had two goals and three assists during Lynnfield’s wins over Danvers and Boston Latin. (Robin DeBenedictis Photo)
Lynnfield was able to bounce back and score twice more in the second and led 4-2 heading into the final 15 minutes.
Ronnie Fuccillo scored the third one assisted by Simonetti and Sam Pifko. Fuccillo also scored the fourth one tipping home a Dan Mack shot late in the period.
Late in the third, with the Latin goalie pulled, Jackson Hammersley scored on the empty net. Henehan assisted. Henehan then tacked on the final goal in the last minute with the goalie back in and Alex Buonopane assisted.
Lynnfield outshot the Dragons 38-16 as goalie Jake DeBenedictis (3-1-1) made 14 stops.
In the first-round game the day before, the Pioneers beat Danvers 4-1 in a game they trailed heading into the final period.
The Falcons scored first in the second period.
In the first minute of the third, on a five-on-three power play, Pifko cashed in to tie the game at one. Fuccillo assisted. Hammersley scored the eventual game-winning goal a few moments later with Henehan assisting.
JAKE DeBENEDICTIS had 17 saves against Danvers and 14 against Boston Latin to help the Pioneers win the Mike Giordano Christmas Tournament at Murphy Memorial Rink in South Boston. (Robin DeBenedictis Photo)
On a four-on-three power play, Pifko made it 3-1.
Pifko then notched the hat trick for the final tally of the game and that was also on the power play.
“We preach special teams and we made a switch in that third period on the power play,” pointed out Gardner.
Lynnfield outshot the Falcons on 22-18 as DeBenedictis made 17 saves.
“Danvers is a good hockey town so it is always nice to beat a team like that,” said Gardner.
Fuccillo was named the tournament MVP.
“He was hard to handle with two goals and three assist,” said Garnder. “He was very instrumental in our power play.”
On New Year’s Day, the Pioneers welcome Gloucester at McVann-O’Keefe Rink in Peabody at 2:15 p.m in another non-league game.
On Jan. 4, the Pioneers return to Cape Ann League action as they take on host Pentucket at Veterans Memorial Rink in Haverhill. Face-off is at 7 p.m.
