WATERTOWN — The Lynnfield Pioneers boys hockey team is going to remember this one for a long time.
All season long, the Pioneers have been masterful in finding a way, by hook or by crook, to pull out the close ones. Sixteen of their 20 regular season games this year were up for grabs with under five minutes to play, with the score either tied or a one-goal differential.
Unfortunately for No. 3 Lynnfield, the No. 14 seeded Wilmington Wildcats turned the tables last night at John Ryan Arena, stealing a 2-1 win in the first round of the Division 2 North tournament, thanks to some late game heroics from senior forward Robert Lord, who pounced on a bouncing puck in the crease and tucked home the game winner with only 3.4 seconds left in regulation.
“I think we played out game plan, and I was very comfortable with being in a tight game as live in close games,” said Lynnfield coach Jon Gardner. “Even when we were down, 1-0, we still were fairly confident that we would at least force overtime, and then when we scored to tie it up, I said, we got this.
“But in the end, we knew on this ice with no neutral zone, that it was going to be a muck goal, a cheap goal, a bouncing puck, and that’s what both of their goals were to be honest with you. Neither one was the result of any playmaking, they just were in the right place, but still it’s a tough pill to swallow, especially here on this rink where we have had nothing but heartache it seems.”
Wilmington coach Stephen Scanlon was obviously happy with the win.
“Both teams were strong in the same places, but I think it came down to we play in a really tough league, the Middlesex League, that helps you get ready for the tournament, so we were confident that we would come in and play well. We’ve been playing well this month of February. It was an exciting game and a great win for us.”
The game was scoreless through two periods with both teams unable to get any playmaking going on the undersized surface.
The Pioneers best chances in the opening period came off the opening faceoff. Sophomore forward John Simonetti stole the puck in the neutral zone and fed junior assistant captain Jaret Simpson in the left slot. His shot was saved by Wilmington goaltender Ryan St. Jean. Less than a minute later, St. Jean made another save after a George DeRoche steal and shot from point blank range.
Wilmington stepped up the pace about 10 minutes in. The Wildcats’ best chance came with under three minutes to play when junior Dan Woods fed senior Thomas Worob creeping in from the left point. His quick release wrister was saved by Pioneer goalie Aidan Kelly. Thirty seconds later, Lynnfield dodged another bullet when junior Andrew Sullivan picked up a loose puck and fired off a shot from about 15 feet in front but misfired just wide.
Lynnfield missed several golden chances to strike first early in the second period when the Pioneers went on a power play after senior Dylan Bresnahan was flagged for roughing at the 12:39 mark. After St. Jean made a glove save on DeRoche, senior captain Cooper Marengi won a faceoff and played the puck back to the right point to DeRoche, who slid the puck across to senior captain Joey Mack on the opposite point. Mack blasted a shot that got loose in the crease. With St. Jean down and out and the net wide open and senior captain Tyler Murphy alone on the back door, Murphy poked the puck just wide.
“That was a big chance right there, no doubt, we had the open net on the back door but couldn’t finish it,” said Gardner.
The Wildcats finally broke the ice just 36 seconds into the third period. Woods looked to be offsides as knocked down puck in mid-air at the blue line and carried the puck into the zone. His shot was saved by Kelly, but Worob knocked it loose and slapped it home.
Lynnfield senior Jack Hammersley tied the game with a pretty goal from fellow senior Robbie Brandano at the 11:18 mark. Marengi won a draw and the puck popped back to Brandano, rushing the net on the left side. He centered the puck perfectly onto Hammersley’s stick in front, who flipped the equalizer home.
“These two guys are both transfers, who last year came to our Saugus tournament game and said they both wanted to come back to Lynnfield,” said Gardner. “It was great and somewhat ironic that they were the ones who put it together and scored that goal for us.”
Lynnfield pulled Kelly after Lord’s game winner, but could not get a shot on net before time expired.
Lynnfield finished the season 12-6-3, while Wilmington (12-10-0) moves on to Friday’s quarterfinal game at O’Brien Rink in Woburn against Winthrop, which beat Beverly 6-2 last night.