MVYH’s Squirt Smythe Mariners had a strong showing in their doubleheader against the Somerset Watuppa Swansea Chiefs at Driscoll Arena in Fall River on Saturday, Jan. 21. The Mariners earned a hard-fought 5-4 victory in game one, and settled on a 4-4 tie in game two after a close, competitive match.
The Mariners and Chiefs again went goal for goal in the first and second. Liam Conley scored an unassisted goal in the first and another in the second, assisted by Frankie Paciello. The score remained tied at 2-2 until the final minutes of the period, when the Chiefs tallied a third goal and went up 3-2.
Undeterred by the deficit, the Mariners offense came out strong in the third. Liam Conley earned a hat trick with his third goal, which was unassisted. Nathan Averill quickly followed, netting the Mariners’ fourth goal on a pass from Liam Conley. Midway through the period, the Chiefs fought back and tied the game, 4-4.
The final minutes of the game were spirited. Solid goalkeeping by Adrian Alberghini and strong defensive play by Callahan D’Arcy and Jonah Saunier held the Chiefs. With 3:06 remaining on the clock, Nathan Averill connected with Frankie Paciello, and the Mariners went up 5-4 and earned the victory.
Eager for redemption, the Chiefs’ offense came out strong in the first period of game two, scoring four goals. The Mariners stayed in the game, tallying two goals of their own. Cole Lambert netted the Mariners’ first goal on a pass from Nathan Averill. With four seconds remaining, Frankie Paciello scored, cutting the Mariners’ deficit to two.
Despite offensive pressure from both teams, the score remained 4-2 going into the final period. The Mariners’ offense dominated in the third. Early in the period, Liam Conley scored on a pass from his brother Aiden Conley. Minutes later, Liam netted another, and the score was tied at 4-4. Outstanding goalkeeping by Adrian Alberghini and solid defensive play by Nate Averill and Chase Toomey held the Chiefs, and the game ended in a 4-4 tie.