Published January 30, 2019

PEABODY — The Peabody/Lynnfield/North Reading girls’ co-op hockey team responded to just their third loss of the season to Melrose on Jan. 23 by coming back and beating Oakmont 6-0 on Jan. 26. 

The Tanners dropped a tough one to the Red Raiders on Wednesday. Melrose brought a lot of energy, while PLNR seemed a bit off from the start. Melrose scored twice in the first to take a 2-0 lead into the second.

ABBY BUCKLEY stares down a Melrose shot while fellow Pioneers Reilly Ganter (3) and Carolyn Garofoli (15) defend. (Mark Grant Photo)

Lynnfield’s Sadie Gearan scored a power play goal for the Tanners at 8:18 to cut the lead to 2-1, but Melrose would score a late goal with 15.5 seconds remaining in period two to go ahead 3-1.

Sammie Mirasolo and Paige Thibedeau scored goals in the third for the Tanners but Melrose also added a goal to end it at 4-3.

LYNNFIELD’s Jenna Mack (5) and Jen Flynn (10) celebrate a goal during the Tanners’ 6-0 win over Oakmont on Saturday. Mack picked up her first point of the season on a assist to Flynn in the second period. (Mark Grant Photo)

The girls didn’t let the close loss put them off track as they returned home to McVann-O’Keefe Rink on Saturday to play an Oakmont team they had previously beaten on Dec. 17. 

The Tanners left no doubts as they dominated from start to finish for a 6-0 win. Jeny Collins earned the shutout in net, but saw very few pucks.

The first period consisted of goals by Jessica Robert, Kat DiGiulio and two by Maria Pierce. The second period saw two goals by Sammie Mirasolo and one by Lynnfield’s Jen Flynn, which was assisted by fellow Pioneer Jenna Mack (her fist point of the season).

Head coach Michelle Roach called off the dogs in the third, shifting the starting forwards to defense, and basically playing “keep-away” by passing back-and-forth. There were very few shots as the players who generally see lots of playing time were trying to involve the players who see very little playing time. 

The Tanners will shift their focus to Waltham on Wednesday night, 5:15 p.m. at McVann-O’Keefe. They will then host Beverly/Danvers on Friday also at 5:15 p.m.