ITEM PHOTO BY SPENSER HASAK
Lynn celebrating the first and only goal it needed to defeat Salem.
By SCOT COOPER
LYNN – The Lynn Jets (10-0-1) skated right past Salem Wednesday night at the Connery Rink, scoring in every period on their way to a 5-0 victory.
After opening the season with a scoreless tie against Revere, the Jets have rolled off ten wins in a row, including six shutouts by junior goalie Jack Stafford.
“Everyone in front of me did their jobs, I can’t take all the credit for these six shutouts, it’s everyone on the team, helping out, blocking shots,” Stafford said. “This was a fun game to play, everyone did their jobs.”
A young, scrappy Salem (3-7-1) squad that had 19 freshmen come out for the team this winter tested Stafford. The Jets then picked up the pace and got the only goal they would need with 4:14 left in the first period.
Brett Molea got the puck back to the right point and defenseman Steve Patrie rifled it by Salem’s freshman goalie Shane Ahlin. When Mike Clougherty made it 2-0 at 10:23 of the second, with an assist from Travis Ryan, Salem coach Teddy Hanley knew his team was behind the 8-ball.
“We played pretty good early, we’re so young, that team is so good on defense, and when you get two goals for that goalie (Stafford) it’s pretty much lights out, they’re very tough to come back on,” Hanley said. “We played hard, as I said, this is a very young team with a very bright future. Congratulations to Lynn, they’re playing great hockey, I hope they go all the way this year. They’re a very good team, from the goalie all the way out.”
Up by a pair heading into the third period, Caleb Reddick scored just 24 seconds in off passes from Molea and Jon Kosmas. Kosmas picked up a goal of his own with 6:03 left in the third, with Molea getting his third helper of the game.
Kevin Morgan slammed one in for the final Jets’ goal, with John Difillipo picking up the assist on the goal with 4:42 left.
“They had 47-48 shots, they controlled the play, credit to them, they’re a very difficult team to fall behind on and try to come back on,” Salem’s Hanley said.
In the Lynn locker room, coach Joe Conlon said it wasn’t a perfect game for his team, but he added that you’d never hear him knock a win.
“It became a bit of a grind in the middle of the game, it was certainly good to have a lead on those guys,” Conlon said. “We kind of expected that they would battle us the whole game. I was glad that we came out and set the tone of the game in the third period and got a couple of goals to put it away.”
“We’re happy with the win, happy we’re in the playoffs, we still have some work to do, but you will never hear me complain about a win,” the coach added.