NR (8-8-3) needs a point vs. Danvers in final game to qualify for state tourney
Published in the February 22, 2018 edition
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
BUZZARDS BAY — It was a great day for two reasons for the North Reading High boys hockey team on Tuesday afternoon. The first reason is that the Hornets upset Lowell Catholic, 4-0, in the championship game of the Jeff Hayes Memorial Tournament at Gallo Ice Arena in Buzzards Bay.
The second reason is that they kept their Division 2 playoff hopes alive with that win improving to 8-8-3 with one game to go.
“We are playing our best hockey of the year in this tournament,” stated North Reading head coach John Giuliotti.
THE NRHS boys’ hockey team has been led by a great senior class this season, including captain Kevin Murphy and associate captains Owen Maxwell and Patrick Scanlon. Pictured from left to right is Scanlon, Murphy and Maxwell holding up the first-place plaque at the 2018 Jeff Hayes Memorial Tournament.
Owen Maxwell led the offense scoring twice, while single goals were scored by Josh Zelikman and Josh Ramirez. Ramirez finished the day with three points as he had two assists as well.
North Reading led 1-0 after the first period and 4-0 after the second.
Justin DiPlatzi was the winning goalie making 17 saves as the Hornets outshot the Crusaders, 41-17.
Lowell Catholic fell to 11-6-1 with the defeat.
Shut out Oliver Ames
In the first round of the tournament on President’s Day, the Hornets blanked Oliver Ames, 5-0.
They scored once in the first period and twice in the second and third. The second and fourth Hornet goals came on the power play.
Zelikman led the way in this game with two goals while single goals were scored by Kevin Murphy, Dylan Babcock and Patrick Scanlon. Murphy had two assists as well.
Diplatzi got the shutout in this game as well as the Hornets outshot the Tigers, 29-20, on goal.
Murphy was named the tournament’s MVP as he had a goal and five total assists while Diplatzi made the all-tournament team.
Fall to Matignon on Senior Night
Last Friday night, visiting Matignon spoiled the Hornets’ Senior Night as they won, 2-0, at Kasabuski Rink in Saugus.
The eight North Reading seniors were honored before the game: Justin DiPlatzi, Kevin Murphy, Justin Danis, Owen Maxwell, Josh Ramirez, Jack Fitzgerald, Patrick Scanlon and Jacob Ancri.
The season will now come down to this Friday as the Hornets visit Danvers at Endicott College. North Reading must at least tie this game in order to qualify for the states but Danvers enters the game with a record of 15-3-1. Face-off is at 7:20 p.m. at Bourque Arena.
