PEABODY — The Lynnfield hockey team took advantage of a number of powerplay opportunities and kept its offense firing on all cylinders Saturday afternoon, notching a 6-0 shutout win over Pentucket in a Cape Ann League battle at McVann-O’Keefe Memorial Rink.
“It was great to see us continue to play well on the powerplay and take advantage of our opportunities,” said Lynnfield coach Jon Gardner. “When you’re able to jump ahead early like that, it makes things a lot easier out there.”
Senior captain Chase Carney once again led the offensive attack in the win, scoring three goals to bring his total on the season to 15. Drew Damiani, Timmy Sullivan and Will Steadman each netted one goal in the victory. Evan Fitzmeyer got the start in net and earned the win for the Pioneers.
For Gardner, the influx of offense to this point in the season — the Pioneers have scored 45 goals in just nine games — has been a welcome addition.
“It’s definitely uncharted waters for us because in years past we’ve never really cashed in on our opportunities like this,” said Gardner. “To have that top line of Chase, Will and Aidan (Burke) clicking like they are and to have guys like Drew playing well on the powerplay, it’s been great. It really helps when you’re able to score like we have been.”
Lynnfield got off to a fast start, as Sullivan found the back of the net early on to put the Pioneers ahead 1-0. After a Pentucket penalty gave Lynnfield the man-advantage, Carney scored the first of his three goals to double up the lead. Damiani added a powerplay goal of his own a few minutes later, and the Pioneers took a 3-0 lead into the first intermission.
Carney started off the second period with yet another powerplay goal, then he capped off his hat trick a few minutes later to give Lynnfield a commanding 5-0 lead after two periods. Once Steadman found the back of the net midway through the third period, the Pioneers skated to an easy victory.
Lynnfield (7-2-0) plays on the road at Westwood Monday afternoon (2).
“We started playing them years ago when we played in the Fairleigh Dickinson Tournament out on Martha’s Vineyard, and ever since then we’ve been scheduling home-and-homes with them,” said Gardner. “We know it’s going to be a tough non-league test, so we’re going to have to bring our best.”
This is the start of an important stretch for the Pioneers, who will play two non-conference games this week before going on a stretch four tough CAL matchups in a row.
“Once we get to those league games, it’s going to be about who wants to win the CAL,” said Gardner. “The guys have had that as a big-picture goal all season, so that’s going to be a crucial stretch for us.”