Boys Hockey Roundup: Lynnfield slips past Pentucket

Led by an eighth-grade goaltender, Lynnfield’s boys hockey team defeated Pentucket, 5-3. Craig Cataldo turned away 17 shots, lowering his goals-against average to 3.33.”(Cataldo) continues to play very solid for us,” Pioneers coach Vin Mirasolo said. “He gives us a chance to win every single game.”Colin Daly and Tom MacNichol gave the Pioneers a 2-0 lead in the first period, a lead Lynnfield would never relinquish. Ryan Smith, Shawn Pedicini and Brendan Costin provided the other goals.”I think we are continuing to improve in the little areas,” said Mirasolo. “We’ve been playing a lot better for the past week or so.”After the win, Lynnfield has an 8-5-2 (7-4-2 CAL) record, leaving the Pioneers four points out of the tournament and only three points out of first place, with seven games remaining.Salem 4, English 3At Connery, after falling behind by four goals, the Bulldogs (3-9-2) answered with three goals in the final 10 minutes of the game. Alex Bannikov, Dan Powers and Jay Miller scored for English. Craig MacDaniel was called upon to make 22 saves.”We just couldn’t capitalize on our chances in the early goings (of the game),” Bulldogs coach Al Melanson said. “But in the third (period), we finally did.”Adam Maccario, Dennis Murtagh, Tyler Daniels and Dan Libby provided the offense for the Witches. Justin Engdahl added a pair of assists, while Libby also had an assist. Jake Bolduc turned away 22 shots.”(English) is a big, physical team,” Salem coach Kris Hanson said, “and they brought that big, physical style to the game. They have some really talented players, Powers at the point in particular. I think (the Bulldogs) can beat anyone down the stretch.”St. Mary’s 8, Matignon 0At Stoneham, the Spartans (8-5-2, 4-2-1 CCL) line of Jackie Bartlett, Jim Mamos and Pat Ferguson provided the first four goals. Mamos had a pair of goals and assists, while Ferguson and Bartlett had a goal and four assists. George Carey scored the first goal of his varsity career. George Carey picked up his first career assist on the goal. Corey Lee, Tim Borders and Shawn Velez scored the other goals.In his first career start in net, freshman Frank McCormack picked up a 15-shot shutout.”A lot of these young kids are starting to develop,” St. Mary’s coach Mark Lee said. “(McCormack) has been with us since he was in eighth grade and has always played hard. He looked tremendous.”St. Mary’s sits only two points out of the tournament with four games remaining. The Spartans will do battle with first-place Austin Prep on Tuesday.Swampscott 4, East Boston 1At East Boston, the Big Blue (8-7-1) enjoyed a 40-8 shot advantage, to gain some redemption. Connor McDonough scored a pair of goals, while Keith Morgan and Jake Donahue provided the others.Waltham 5, Peabody 1At McVann-O’Keefe Rink in Peabody, the Tanners (8-3-2) dug themselves a 3-0 second-period hole and were never able to recover, thanks to a goal and two assists from Dan Rowland and Don Hopkins.”We didn’t play good enough to win the game,” Peabody coach Mark Leonard said.James Noftle had the lone Peabody goal, assisted by Ken Brownlee and Zack Brown, with 1:22 left in the second period.Winthrop 1, Gloucester 1At Gloucester, Matt Clewer tied the game for the Vikings. Cam Scola scored a goal for the Fishermen.Northeast 15, Tech 2At Malden, Eric Mihovan and Eric Little scored a goal apiece for the Tigers. Mike Spinucci assisted on the Little goal. Justin Colontuoni and Brian Provost also had strong games for Tech.