PEABODY — The Peabody/Lynnfield girls hockey team opened up its season in strong fashion Saturday afternoon, notching a 5-3 win over Northeastern Hockey League foe Masconomet at McVann-O’Keefe Memorial Rink. The Tanners scored early on and never looked back, getting solid play in all three phases en route to the victory.
“We were all really excited to get to this point and get back out on the ice, and it really brought us a sense of normalcy,” said Peabody/Lynnfield coach Michelle Roach. “We came out and played disciplined, we limited their shots and we played well on the powerplay. It was a great team win.”
Seniors Paige Thibedeau and Chloe Shapleigh led the offensive attack with two goals each, while sophomore Jenna DiNapoli notched one goal and one assist. Junior goalie Audrey Buckley played a solid game in net, making 11 saves to earn the win.
The powerplay was especially strong for the Tanners, with two of their five goals coming with the man advantage.
Peabody/Lynnfield came out hot to start, earning a powerplay opportunity in the opening minutes of the first period. The Tanners were able to cash in right away, when DiNapoli sent a quick pass to Thibedeau to put Peabody/Lynnfield up 1-0. Masconomet answered back with a goal from Cali Caponigro midway through the first to make it 1-1, but the Tanners quickly got another powerplay chance and capitalized again. This time, it was Shapleigh who scored on a shot from the blue line to make it 2-1 at the first intermission.
Thibedeau extended the Tanners’ lead to 3-1 early in the second period, then a few minutes later Shapleigh netted her second to put Peabody/Lynnfield in control at 4-1.
Masconomet got one back in the third period, but DiNapoli quickly responded to keep the Tanners up by four goals. After Masconomet’s Sage Smith scored with nine seconds to go, Peabody/Lynnfield took home the win.
The Tanners (1-0) are back in action Wednesday evening (5:15) with a matchup against NEHL foe Marblehead back at McVann-O’Keefe Memorial Rink.
“It’s going to be a tough week for us with Marblehead and Winthrop, we’re really getting right into the mix in our league,” said Roach. “I think it was really good for us to come out (Saturday) and show how hard we’ve been working and that we are still a team that can compete in a tough league like ours.”
