By DAN ZIMMERMAN
HAVERHILL — It didn’t take long for the North Reading Hornets to erase recent woes, namely a three-game losing skid, the first of its kind this season.
Last Wednesday, North Reading traveled to face Pentucket in a season rematch and handed their stunned host an 8-1 drubbing, a final score exceeding the 7-1 result in mid-January. But unlike the earlier meeting, there was far more at stake; specifically, the Cape Ann League Baker crown.
On the strength of yet another 4-goal game from Christian Lava, or as it has been described by assistant coach Chris Deming, a “Texas hat trick,” the Hornet offense powered to a comfortable 4-1 lead by mid-game and never looked back, claiming the CAL league title.
Eight goals wasn’t enough, it seems. Days later, during a Saturday matinee with a struggling Everett club, the Hornets hosted a scoring clinic, tallying 11 more.
“From the drop of the puck today, we had great chemistry,” said North Reading coach Brian McAuliffe, following the win over Pentucket. “It was all about getting guys healthy. We’re not a very deep team so when four or five guys are missing and we don’t have a full squad, it’s tough to play to our capability.”
Along with Lava’s four-spot, goal-scorers against Pentucket were Brendan Gazda, Max Forristall, Nolan Pierce, and Jack Hodgin. Tom Gazda and James Nelson each added three assists in the effort.
Lava opened the scoring with a pair of goals seconds apart early in the first frame. The dynamic sophomore celebrated his birthday by joining the 20-goal club with a pair of power play tallies to cement the win for the Hornets.
“I’ve been watching Christian since he was an eighth-grader,” said McAuliffe. “He has been a physical, offensive force, skates tremendously well, and his hands are as good as anybody’s in the league. He is certainly playing up to his potential.”
“It has been a lot of fun, especially when we’re winning,” said Lava, when asked about his recent windfall. “Last year, we fell short of winning the league but this year, we stepped up. This was a good team win.”
In the season rematch with Everett, the Hornets feasted offensively in an 11-2 rout. Goal scorers included Charlie Considine, Tom Gazda, Brendan Gazda, Jack Hodgin, Duncan Gulino, and Pierce and Nelson, each with a pair. Lava, who has scored at least once in all but three games this year, added No. 21 late in the first.
The goal of the season, however, belonged to North Reading co-Captain Michael Pittore. On senior celebration day, Pittore buried his first, on the power play, with minutes remaining in the game. Tom Gazda had the honor of providing the assist that sent the North Reading faithful into pandemonium. There has been a lot of cheering for this team in recent weeks but none louder than that expressed for Pittore.
“It was pretty special for Michael to score his first goal of the season on senior night,” said McAuliffe. “He has so much positive energy and it’s infectious throughout the team. Over the past four years, he has created so many good memories for our team and our opponents, as well.”
North Reading wrapped up the regular season with their participation in the 12th Annual Jeff Hayes Tournament, which is a four team round robin staged at the Gallo Ice Rink in Bourne.
In the tournament opener on Monday afternoon, the 16-3-1 Auburn Rockets outpaced North Reading by a score of 4-1 to advance to the championship on Tuesday, which the Rockets ultimately won over Sandwich, 3-1. Duncan Gulino scored the lone Hornets goal in the loss.
In the consolation round, North Reading defeated the 6-14 Dennis-Yarmouth Dolphins, 4-1. Senior co-Captains Max Forristall and Duncan Gulino accounted for the scoring, with Gulino adding a hat trick in the regular season finale.
North Reading wrapped up with an 11-8 overall record, the CAL Baker title, and pending final tabulations, a No. 10 Division 4 Power Ranking, assuring home ice advantage when the MIAA State Tournament commences next weekend.