By DAN ZIMMERMAN
SAUGUS — From the outset, there was never any doubt that the North Reading ice hockey team would face adversity as they develop their identity. Their coaching staff, led by Brian McAuliffe, was well aware that a daunting task was in store for them, including melding youthful talent into a cohesive unit.
With three games behind them, the Hornets tale is that of two distinct teams. Sandwiched between a pair of tough defeats, including a 5-1 season-opening loss to Dracut-Tyngsboro and most recently, a 3-0 blanking dealt by Hamilton-Wenham, the Hornets came up with a dramatic 3-2 overtime triumph over Pentucket.
“As this young team progresses through the season, you’re going to see improvements game-by-game,” said McAuliffe, who despite a 1-2 start is 1-0 in the Cape Ann League. “Our guys are starting to get in rhythm and they’re staying out of the box, like you saw in the Pentucket game.”
McAuliffe was referring to the discipline of this group, which is uncommon with young players. In their first outing against Dracut-Tyngsboro, the Hornets committed a half-dozen infractions, most in the second period and several resulting in power play goals for the opposition. Days later, moving on to Pentucket, there was far more discipline in their ranks and the Hornets prospered.
“Since that first game, we’ve only taken two penalties in two games,” said McAuliffe. “The focus to avoid taking penalties made the difference against Pentucket.”
The Panthers’ Cam Smith beat Hornet netminder Charles Cooper early in the first period to claim a 1-0 lead that stood up until 11:41 of the middle frame when Matt Young struck for his first of the season. Luke Baker and Thomas Gazda provided the helpers for the game-tying goal.
Nolan Cole put Pentucket back in front early in the third and time began slipping away from North Reading. Enter Hornet freshman Robert Daley, who had been touted as a pure goal-scorer with speed and as they tend to say around these parts – a wicked shot. Daley broke into the scoring with his first, off a feed from Duncan Gulino, to knot the game and send it into overtime.
“We went to a four-on-four in overtime which is something I like to practice,” said McAuliffe. “I had Robbie Daley back on defense and my message was to get the puck back to him. The second he beats a guy, now it’s a four-on-three and you have your odd-man rush.”
Daley and the Hornets had the upper hand as the play developed. A tripping call on Pentucket was signaled by the official but as it turns out, the penalty proved meaningless.
“I brought the puck in from the defensive zone and carried it over the red line,” recalled Daley. “I got tripped and the puck went into the corner. Matthew Young picked it up and I shouted for him to pass it behind his back. I was in front and it landed right on my tape. I ripped it top right, glove side.”
“He really sniped one to send us home game-winners,” said McAuliffe. “It was pretty special. He’s going to be a fun player to watch, that’s for sure.”
North Reading returned home to Kasabuski on Saturday evening to meet Hamilton-Wenham, armed with hopes that they could make it back-to-back. But the Generals were coming off a season-opening 5-2 win over Northeast Tech and playing well. Will Stidsen buried a pair of first period goals and Charlie Collins added one in the third to claim a 3-0 win over the Hornets, who fell to 1-2 overall.
North Reading actually outshot the Generals by a 2-to-1 margin and had a number of outstanding chances in the middle frame. But Hamilton-Wenham goalie Cooper Miller, who until late last season, was a forward and had never set foot in a crease, stonewalled the effort.
“I didn’t see much negative in that game except for finishing,” said McAuliffe. “The scoring touch was just lacking. Their goalie stood on his head and that’s going to happen. But we have to find the means to bury our chances.”
North Reading traveled to face Bedford Wednesday evening (results in after press time) and will be on holiday hiatus until January 4 when they return to action in Amesbury.