By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
SAUGUS — The red-hot Lynnfield boys’ hockey team won its fifth consecutive game on Jan. 28 as they edged guest Newburyport, 2-1, at the Kasabuski Rink in Saugus. This was going to be a home game for the Pioneers played on Saturday afternoon at the McVann O’Keefe Rink in Peabody but, due to the blizzard, was moved back a night and played in Saugus.
With that victory, Lynnfield improved to 11-2 overall and 8-1 in the Cape Ann League. They were also able to complete the season sweep over the Clippers who fell to 6-5.
Tyler Scoppetuolo was the hero for the locals in this one scoring the game-winning goal with two minutes to go. Aiden Burke and Chase Carney had the assists.
In the first period, Will Steadman had the first goal of the evening assisted by Burke and Drew Damiani just 42 seconds in.
The Clippers tied it in the second as Jon Groth scored with 12:09 remaining.
After Scoppetuolo’s tally, the Clippers pulled their goalie with a little over a minute left for the extra attacker but the Pioneers were able to hold on.
“It was a very good team win,” said Pioneers head coach Jon Gardner. “They always play us better the second time around.”
Gardner was extra pleased with the win considering that Damiani had a shoulder injury in the second period and had to miss the rest of the game.
Lynnfield outshot Newburyport, 25-22, as Pioneer goalie Phinneas Mitchener made 21 saves to go to 8-2 in net.
On Jan. 26, the Pioneers beat host Triton, 4-1, at the Graf Rink in Newburyport as they swept the Vikings this season.
Carney, the team’s top scorer, had two goals and one assist while Damiani had a goal and a pair of assists. Burke had one goal and one assist.
Burke scored on the power play, assisted by Carney, at the 7:58 mark of the first period.
Carney made it 2-0 assisted by Damiani and Burke with 2:49 remaining in the second. Triton scored with 13.9 seconds left to cut the lead to one heading into the third.
Damiani then made it 3-1 with 5:11 left in the game assisted by Carney.
The final goal was also scored by Damiani on the empty net with three-seconds left.
Lynnfield outshot the Vikings 29-19 as Mitchener had 18 stops.
“That is the first time in 10 years we have swept both teams that play at Graf (Newburyport),” pointed out Gardner. “It is also the first time in around 15 years we have gone 4-0 against both teams.”
This Saturday at noon, the Pioneers host North Reading looking for s split of the season series as the Hornets won the first meeting, 5-2, back on Jan. 12. It is Senior Day as the nine LHS seniors will be honored before the game.
The Pioneers will then play a non-league game on Feb. 7 as they take on host Medford at LoConte Rink. Face-off is at 4 p.m.
Lynnfield returns to CAL action on Feb. 9 as they go to the Veteran’s Memorial Rink in Haverhill to take on host Pentucket. That game will start at 7 p.m.