Gloucester Alumni

By Steve Maniaci
Staff writer, Gloucester Daily Times

BILLERICA - And now it's all over.
After taking the city on a wild ride for the past 16 months, the Gloucester High boys hockey team's ride ended last night thanks to an eighth-grade goalie and right goal post.

The Fishermen's quest of back-to-back Divison 2 state titles ended in the most unforgiving manner - a shootout.

The No. 16 seed Lynnfield got goals in the shootout from Ryan Smith and John Connolly to continue its magical run, besting Gloucester, 4-3, at the Chelmsford Forum.

The Pioneers move on to Sunday's Div. 2 North final to take on Andover, which posted a 3-0 win over Cape Ann League power Masconomet.

Lynnfield, also from the Cape Ann League, sent the game into overtime erasing a two-goal deficit with scores in the second and third periods. The teams went into a shootout after neither team could score in an eight-minute overtime.

In the shootout, Cam Scola gave Gloucester the first lead. But his goal would be it for the Fishermen as Josh and Tom Salah and Andrew Fulford had scoring bids turned away by goalie Chris Costan.

Smith and Connolly put the Pioneers ahead by a goal.

Needing a score to keep the game going, junior Jeremy Fanning glided down the ice and fired a shot on net.

The puck hit the inside of the right post and bounced out sending the Pioneers and their fans into jubilation.

It also marked the end of 16 months of celebration for Gloucester.

"These guys have had two great seasons, three for the seniors," Gloucester coach Don Lowe said. "Somebody's got to win, sombody's got to lose. Tonight was our night."

Lynnfield coach Vin Mirasolo said beating the Fishermen capped a four game tournament run which included two overtime wins and last night's shootout victory.

"To beat the defending champs when we are down by two goals in the second period, that speaks for itself," Mirasolo said. "I hope there are no more questions about my goaltender."

Cataldo proved age means little. The eighth-grader came up with 24 saves before the shootout to give Lynnfield a chance for the upset.

He said facing Schlicthe in a shootout got his nerves going.

"It was nerve-wracking, but I knew they would score for me if I made a few saves," Cataldo said.

Gloucester held a 3-1 lead before Lynnfield scored a pair of goals sending the game to overtime. Alex Smith's shot from the blue line with 17.1 seconds left in the second period brought the Pioneers to within a goal.

Lynnfield would tie it with 7:08 left in the third period when Ryan Smith walked in alone and blasted a shot past Schlichte.

Gloucester had tacked a 3-1 lead on a pair of second period goals. Scola scored his fourth goal of the tournament on a pass from Tom Salah at 6:02.

Tom Salah scored his first tournament goal on passes from Scola and Fanning at 7:51.

The teams skated to a 1-1 first period tie. Lynnfield scored 3:30 into the game when Brendan Costin stole a puck behind the Gloucester net and wrapped in his shot past Schlichte.

Gloucester answered with 2:55 left in the period when Andrew Fulford scored a goal off a rebound. Brettt Biondo had his initial shot saved by Cataldo. Fulford collected the rebound and roofed it into the net.

Fulford had a chance to break the tie with 33 second left in the period but was robbed by Cataldo on a point blank shot.

Division 2 North semifinals

Lynnfield 3, Gloucester 3

(Lynnfield wins shootout, 2-1)

at Chelmsford Forum, North Billerica

Lynnfield 1 1 1 0 - 3

Gloucester 1 2 0 0 - 3

First period: L, Brendan Costin (un), 3:30; G, Andrew Fulford (Brett Biondo, Josh Salah), 12:05.

Second period: G, Cam Scola (Tom Salah), 6:02; G, T. Salah (Scola, Jeremy Fanning), 7:51; L, Alex Young (un), 14:43.

Third period: L, Ryan Smith (un), 7:52.

Overtime: No scoring.

Shootout: L, Colin Daly, no goal; Brendan Costin, no goal; Ryan Smith, goal; John Connolly, goal; Tom McNichol, no goal; G, Cam Scola, goal; Josh Salah, no goal; Tom Salah, no goal; Andrew Fulford, no goal; Jeremy Fanning, no goal.

Saves: L, Chris Cataldo 24; G, Eric Schlichte 24.

Records: L, 14-10-2; G, 14-4-5.