The challenge facing the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS) boys hockey team last weekend seemed clear enough: To qualify for the State Tournament, they needed to win both of their games in the four-team Fairleigh Dickinson Jr. Tournament at the Martha’s Vineyard Ice Arena. Anything less and they were out.
But there was a catch. Per Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) tournament rules, overtime games would be counted as ties for purposes of tournament qualification. The Vineyarders had to win both games in regulation but failed to get past their first hurdle, tieing Lynnfield, 2-2.
From the outset of their opening game versus Lynnfield Saturday night, the action was fast and furious. The early going featured excellent scoring opportunities — and equally fine goaltending — for both teams. (MV’s Nick Kent and the Pioneers’ David Langone were outstanding in net throughout.)
The game’s first penalty, a tripping call against Lynnfield, came at the 10:45 mark. On the ensuing power play, Assistant Captain Emerson Mahoney and Captain Austin Morley traded nifty passes in the Lynnfield zone, with Emerson ultimately whipping a 20-foot wrist shot past David Langone. The one-goal lead held up, as MV had the edge in play, eventually outshooting Lynnfield 8-5 in the period. But with time winding down before the horn, Lynnfield’s Bob Laconte — a thorn in MV’s side all night — stepped between two Vineyard defensemen, stole the puck, and deposited it behind Nick Kent. The teams went to their locker rooms knotted at one goal apiece.
Unfazed by the late goal, MV came out flying in period two, and again had the upper hand. Early in the period there was an extended flurry of action in front of the Lynnfield net, with the Vineyard firing away and half of the Pioneers skaters collapsed on their goalie, providing saves by committee. The home team finally regained the lead when Jonas Lukowitz and Andrew Wiley converted on a two-on-one breakaway, Andrew assisting Jonas. It was 2-1 Vineyarders at the break.
The third period began as period one had ended, with a sudden, improbable Lynnfield score. Twelve seconds into the period, Lynnfield’s Dan Sullivan collected a carom off the boards behind the MV net and rammed it home. The game was again tied.
With that goal, momentum shifted in the visitors’ favor. Throughout the period, Lynnfield had the advantage in shots on goal and overall play. But MV’s defense, anchored by Nick Kent and assistant captain Nick Vukota, held firm.
With each passing minute, the pressure on the Vineyarders to score mounted. Only a win in regulation would keep their state tournament hopes alive. Then they got a break. At the three-minute mark, Lynnfield’s Bob Laconte was whistled for a four-minute major. Aware of the urgency to score immediately, MV coach Matt Mincone pulled Nick Kent for an extra skater.
The two-man advantage resulted in several sparkling scoring chances; at one point the puck was loose in the crease for several seconds as various Vineyarders whacked away.
But it was not to be. Lynnfield held on, clearing away the last Vineyard thrusts as the seconds ticked down. The game ended 2 to 2, and headed to overtime to determine which team would play in the final on Sunday against Westwood, winner over Weston in the first semifinal matchup.
The overtime format calls for an initial 5-minute period with both teams at full strength. Despite a solo breakaway for each team, the 5-on-5 session ended with no score. Next, a 4-on-4 matchup. Again no score. A 3-on-3 session featured tired legs and no goals. The final tie breaker stage is a shootout, consisting of four rounds. Emerson Mahoney gave the Vineyarders an early shootout lead with his second goal of the night. Moments later, however, Lynnfield’s Dan Sullivan tied it with his second of the game, before senior defenseman Michael Look netted the winner for the Pioneers. A disappointed Martha’s Vineyard team would play the Weston Wildcats Sunday morning in the consolation game, while Lynnfield would battle Westwood to determine the tournament winner.
Sunday slump
For MV hockey fans, and perhaps for the team, Sunday’s game had an anticlimactic feel to it. Not only were the Vineyarders’ MIAA tourney hopes dashed, they were playing a strong, fast Weston team that had given Westwood a run for their money Saturday night before fading. In addition, Weston had incentive: A win or a tie on Sunday would qualify them for the state tournament. Suffice it to say that the Wildcats outshot the Vineyarders 16 to 2 in period one. Junior Bryce Grundy registered two goals and an assist in the period, and added another assist later in the game. With the 5-0 win, Weston heads to the tournament. Martha’s Vineyard can take heart in knowing that Lynnfield, after barely getting past the Vineyarders, came out on Sunday and beat favored Westwood 2 to 1. And with 18 of 23 players returning, there’s always next year.