BEVERLY — The Peabody/Lynnfield girls hockey team shook off a slow start Saturday and delivered in a 3-1 win over Beverly at Ray Bourque Arena.
Beverly got on the board first but the Tanners didn’t quit, scoring an equalizer late in the first period, adding the game winner — a goal from Sammie Mirasolo in the second period — and holding on for the win.
“We came out kind of flat, then we switched some things around and that gave us a jump,” Tanners coach Michelle Roach said. “I think what’s most satisfying and what I’m most impressed with was our ability to adapt and respond. We needed to go out of that first period with a goal. The girls worked hard and they grinded and we threw that in net. I think that response was how we were able to get this win.”
Hannah Gromko had a big day for Peabody in all phases of the game, scoring the goal to tie things up and adding an empty-netter to ice the game in the third period.
“Hannah is a freshman this year,” Roach said. “To see her step up, her decision making, I’ve been very impressed with that. The way she’s handled situations and also her back-check game is critical. She’s a three zone player.
“At one point (Hannah) was the first one back to break out the puck, got it to the wing and then got the breakout pass. I think that’s a testament to her contribution to the team.”
The Panthers hung with Peabody through the beginning of the game, with five blocked shots highlighting Beverly’s effort. Mirasolo used her speed to skate to a pair of breakaways in the first period but each time Madison Delano made the stop.
Beverly took advantage of a power play a few minutes later with a goal from Sadie Papamechail to get ahead 1-0.
Gromko was in the right place at the right time for her first goal. A Catherine Sweeney was initially blocked by a Beverly defender but Gromko was there to scoop up a loose puck and score to even the game at 1-1 with 10 seconds left in the first.
The Tanners fed off that momentum in the second period, controlling play for the most part. Paige Thibedeau just missed the mark on a wrap around chance but Mirasolo cleaned up the rebound to put the Tanners ahead 2-1.
It was a lead Peabody never surrendered. Jeny Collins (29 saves) continued her sharp play in net and Gromko added here empty netter late in the third.
“We have been very lucky where we have had great goaltending in the past few years,” Roach said. “Jeny, when we are having those tough games and we come out flat she is a steady presence in the back. She’ll make five saves in a row and still get the back out from the back of the net. We start from the net and work our way out.”
The Tanners traveled to Veterans Memorial rink in Gardner to take on Oakmont Sunday and earned a 6-0 win. Penny Spack led the way with two goals, her first career varsity tallies for the Tanners. Lily Piscatelli also scored her first varsity goal. Mirasolo, Carolyn Garofoli and Ella McTeague each had one goal.
Peabody/Lynnfield/North Reading hosts Medford/Malden Thursday (1).