After press time:
North Reading defeats Rockport 7-3 (Jan. 25)
By DAN ZIMMERMAN
NEWBURYPORT — “Turnabout is fair play,” is an 18th century quote which means “if somebody does something to you, it is perfectly acceptable to do the same thing back to them.”
After suffering a 5-2 loss in their first meeting with Triton, the North Reading Hornets responded in kind last Wednesday evening at the Henry Graf Rink, handing the Vikings a decisive 3-0 defeat.
In their last three games, the Hornets have outscored opponents by a wide 18-1 margin but the shutout win over nemesis Triton clearly stands above the rest.
“It’s always nice to claim the rematch against a team that got the better of you earlier in the season,” said North Reading coach Brian McAuliffe, who improved to 6-4 overall with the midseason win. “This was a league game so it has more impact in the standings. Triton is a high-ranked Division 3 team and this will give the boys a lot of confidence as we head into the second half of the season.”
North Reading currently leads the Cape Ann League, Baker Division with a 4-1 mark, but equally noteworthy, the Hornets moved to No. 12 in the MIAA Division 4 Power Rankings, which determines playoff opponents, as well as home ice advantage.
First to strike was senior co-captain Tom Gazda, fresh off a hat trick in the previous contest with Pentucket. Gazda, who is second in scoring (8 goals, 7 assists), knocked in a rebound for the go-ahead goal early in the second period after a scoreless first. John Harty, who fired the initial shot at Triton netminder Gavin Marengi, was credited with an assist.
After claiming a lead, North Reading played inspired hockey, outshooting their stunned host 11-7 in the middle frame.
“We were flying tonight and this was certainly our best game of the season,” said McAuliffe.
“Flying” would describe Hornet blueliner Max Forristall who was a menace at both ends of the ice, frustrating the Vikings at every turn. Forristall added his fifth of the season on a power play midway through the third.
“We were on the power play and at first, I fumbled the pass but I stayed with it,” said Forristall, describing the insurance goal. “I skated along the boards and I got a nice pass from Tommy Gazda in the circle, corralled it, and put it in the net.”
Forristall, a senior co-captain, was honored by the coaching staff as the “player of the game.”
Triton, trailing by a pair, pulled out all the stops in the third, outshooting North Reading 16-6. But standing in their path was goaltender Steven DeLisle, who recorded his second consecutive shutout, stopping all 34 shots, including a flurry of bids when the Vikings traded their goalie for an extra attacker with 2:27 remaining.
Christian Lava, who currently leads the Hornets with 17-points (9 goals, 8 assists), chipped in an empty-netter to wrap up the scoring.
“From goaltending, to defense, to offense, it was an all-around complete game,” said McAuliffe. “It was very encouraging and showed me that we’re in a place where I hoped to be at this stage in the season.”
On Monday, the 7-4 North Reading Hornets added to their recent string of success – now four straight wins – by handily defeating Northeast Tech, 6-1. Scoring for the Hornets was Lava, Forristall, Brendan Gazda with a pair, along with John Harty and Nolan Pierce, each with their first of the season. Noteworthy was Brayden Carlson with three assists and goalie Charlie Cooper, who improved to 5-1.
The Hornets will next pay a visit to the Dorothy Talbot Rink on Saturday afternoon to face the 2-10 Rockport Vikings.