LYNN — It didn’t take long for Lynn Jets senior John DiFilippo to get his 100th career point during Wednesday night’s game. A forward, DiFilippo reached the career mark with a goal in the first period and helped the Jets to a 6-5 win over Cambridge at William P. Connery Rink.
“It feels pretty good to finally reach that milestone tonight,” DiFillippo said. “It’s definitely something that I went into the season thinking about.”
DiFillippo, who finished with one goal and three assists on the night, was quick to give his linemates Andrew Patrie and Brian Clougherty credit for helping him along the way.
“I couldn’t have done it without them,” DiFilippo said. “It’s good to be playing with them and it really helped me out. Now our focus is on maybe making a (state) tournament run and ending the year on a good note.”
Lynn’s first line continued its excellent season, accounting for all six goals.
“The fire this year has been John,” Jets coach Mike Roberts said. “He notched his 100th point in the first and got it out of the way quick, which was nice. He’s been our playmaker moving from the wing to the center and filling that void.
“You can’t say enough about Brian, Andrew and John on that first line,” Roberts added. “Brian has had a guy draped all over him all season long. I’ve been trying to keep him positive and tell him to battle through. He did an unbelievable job.”
The Jets got off to a rough start with a tripping penalty four seconds into the game. Cambridge cashed in on the power play soon after with a goal to go ahead 1-0.
It didn’t take long for Lynn to answer. DiFilippo carried a puck up the ice less than two minutes later and ripped a wrist shot to tie the game.
Later in the period, Cambridge regained the lead after an odd bounce gave a Cambridge forward a wide open shot on net.
Once again the Jets responded. With 1:01 remaining in the first, DiFilippo dished a nice pass to Patrie who found the back of the net to tie the game at 2-2.
The Jets first line continued to produce in the second period. Clougherty added two goals, one on a shot out front and another on a wrist shot, to give the Jets a 4-2 lead with 6:45 left in the second.
Cambridge went on the offensive after a major penalty put the Jets down a man for five minutes. But Lynn’s defense held strong in front of goalkeeper Jack Gallant (26 saves).
Lynn’s penalty kill continued its great night in the third period with three minutes remaining from the major penalty. DiFilippo found Patrie on two seperate plays, adding two short-handed goals to put the Jets ahead 6-2.
“Overall we need to stay out of the penalty box,” Roberts said. “Late in the game we put ourselves in bad spots. But on the flip side our shorthanded group has been amazing all year led by DiFilippo, Patrie, Paul Papageorgiou and Aiden Seitz. They really had a great time on that penalty kill tonight.”
Cambridge didn’t quit, however, adding three goals in the final few minutes of the game to cut Lynn’s lead to 6-5.
“We always like to make it interesting,” Roberts said. “I think we’re one of the only teams in the league that can let a two-goal and three-goal lead slip that fast. I saw that look in our kids’ eyes, like here we go again. I just tried to calm them down and said, ‘listen play with composure and keep doing what you’re doing.'”
And the Jets listened. Cambridge wasn’t able to pull its goalkeeper until the final 30 seconds and Lynn held on for the win.
“To finally close one out is good,” Roberts said. “We’ve had these scenarios. The first game against Somerville (7-7 tie) we were up two (goals) with a 1:15 left and we end up walking out of there with a tie. That hurts and it can be demoralizing with the group.
“But our team is starting to gell now,” Roberts added. “Sitting at 5-2-1 after eight games is a great spot to be in right now.”
Lynn travels to Revere Saturday (5:10).