After press time: North Reading defeats Amesbury 3-1 (Jan. 3)
By DAN ZIMMERMAN
CAMBRIDGE — Invited to take part in the Cambridge First Responders Tournament over the New Year’s weekend, the North Reading ice hockey team suffered an abysmal defeat in the opening round but a day later, came roaring back to claim the consolation game.
When the annual tournament got underway on Friday, North Reading drew the undefeated Methuen Rangers and hoped, with the return of Max Forristall and Duncan Gulino to the lineup after a two-game suspension, they could subdue an accomplished program that had scored 16-goals in three outings to start the season. That wasn’t the case, however, as Methuen handed the Hornets a one-sided defeat, 6-1.
The lone Hornet goal in the loss was supplied by senior co-captain Luke Baker, who snapped the shutout early in the second period. Assists on Baker’s second of the season were credited to John Hardy and Matthew Mericantante.
On Saturday, the Hornets returned to the Simoni Rink to face the Cambridge Rindge and Latin Falcons, a 2-2 club which had fallen to Somerville in the opener, 4-2. Once again, it was Baker striking early, burying a one-timer off a Gulino feed from behind the net.
Baker, who has now tallied in each of the last three games, was honored by the coaching staff with a move to the top scoring line.
“He wasn’t necessarily where we wanted him to be at the start of season,” said North Reading coach Brian McAuliffe. “But he has been playing really well lately and earned that first line spot with Tommy (Gazda) and Duncan. This is the time of the season when you reset the lines to find the right chemistry and we’re encouraged by what we’re seeing.”
Tyler Morello combined with Nolan Pierce and Nolan DeGregorio to make it 2-0, beating CRL netminder Isaac Winter-Barkai with a rising writer from the blue line.
North Reading, once again, was remarkably disciplined throughout the contest. CRL took advantage of the first of only two power play opportunities on the night, as Mathias Moore halved the deficit to 2-1 with 4:44 left in the first frame. The CRL celebration was short-lived, however, as Christian Lava restored the two-goal lead 10-seconds later.
Junior Tommy Gazda took command in the middle frame, reeling off a natural hat trick with three consecutive goals, including a crowd-pleasing coast-to-coast rush.
“Tommy has emerged as a leader and is finding the back of the net, which is an obvious positive,” said McAuliffe, who improved to 3-2 overall with the decisive win.
“We were playing really well tonight and moving the puck,” said Gazda, who currently leads the Hornets in scoring (6 goals, 1 assist). “We mixed up the lines a bit coming into this game, looking for a bounce back, and the boys were finding each other. I got a little lucky tonight and was able to find the back of the net.”
Trailing 6-1, CRL more or less threw in the towel in the third period. Lava added his second of the night and third of the campaign while Nolan Pierce picked up his first career goal to wrap up the highest Hornet offensive output to date.
“They understand there is a high standard to maintain,” said McAuliffe, when asked if he’s pleased so far with the leadership on this young team. “The captains are being tested but they have stepped up and set the tone, especially in this game.”
North Reading traveled to face Amesbury (2-2) on Wednesday night (results in after press time) and will host the 3-3 Triton Vikings on Saturday at 7:20 p.m.