Kick Saves: Plenty of reasons to cheer in great girls hockey season

Kick Saves Matt Williams

A year ago this space finished out the girls hockey season with some cheers and jeers.

Incredibly, just about everything we jeered 12 months ago had a complete turnaround this past season. Let’s revisit:

First, we jeered the lack of overtime. It was specifically in reference to the first girls Carlin Cup (which ended in a tie), but ladies hockey fans around the North Shore were rewarded with three outstanding overtime takes this winter.

In December, Beverly’s in-season tourney ended with a tremendous 4-on-4 overtime win over Billerica/Chlemsford, with sopphomore Brittany Foster steaming down the wing and potting the winning goal.

It turned out that was just an appetizer for two of the most exciting games in area girls history coming this postseason.

First, was Beverly and Masconomet’s titanic first round battle at the Bourque Arena. The scoring chances were a plenty on both sides during the six minutes of 4-on-4 time and the ensuing six minutes of 3-on-3; who could sit down as Beverly bore down on the power play only to be denied again and again?

And who could forget Panther goalie Maddy Jalbert charging out of her crease like a soccer goalie to knock away a would-be breakaway chance?

Masco wound up winning in the shootout and the Chieftains went on to play yet another OT game in the state semi’s. This one didn’t last as long, with Woburn picking up the win 4:03 into the 4-on-4 session. Still, both sides had scoring chances that brought the O’Brien rink crowd to its feet.

So bemoaning the lack of OT a year ago brought us three of the better games played in these parts not just in girls hockey but in all sports. Call it the Midas touch? Check out the next jeer.

After jeering a big down turn in the individual scoring numbers, we saw an explosion in 2016-17 that rewrote the Beverly High and area record books.

Seniors McKinley Karpa and Izzy Primack each scored 73 points, surpassing the previous area-high of 70 set by Panther great Nicole Woods four years ago. The aforementioned Foster also became only the sixth player in area history to hit the half-century mark in a single season with her 50.

The 196 total points and 89 total goals by that line also top the 87 and 191 points set by Woods’ trio with Julia Nearis and Kristen McCarthy that season — that Beverly six are the only girls in the area to surpass 50 points in a year, meaning no skater on another club has ever done it.

For perspective on just how good Karpa-Primack-Foster were, the very best boys lines on the North Shore the last 10 years are typically around 150 points and none have sniffed 200. This year, Beverly and Burlington were the only girls teams in the state with multiple 50-point scorers and the Panthers were the only team with three.

Best friends since their elementary school days, Ipswich students Karpa and Primack finished with the same number of points and tied for third and fourth in the state. After waiting two years to play on the same line, it’s only fitting that they’ll share the BHS and area record.

One last note: Their balance is remarkable. They set the points record without breaking either the record for goals or assists. That means they’re both equally adept at scoring and making plays and speaks to their natural affinity for sharing both the puck and the glory.

What else did we jeer? The injury bug, which struck hard in 2015-16 but seemed to stay away in 2016-17 with all the local clubs operating at or near full strength at the end of the year.

The final jeer was to the MIAA for consistently placing the girls state finals at TD Garden as the first games, reasoning that a rotation would be fair and that 9 and 11 a.m. starts hinder both skating legs and the crowd. The girls remain in those timeslots this year, though. Maybe next year? And maybe there will be an area team there to enjoy it.

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Imagine this: Masconomet’s incredible postseason run may have come down to a coin toss.

The Chieftains ended the season tied with Peabody with identical 9-8-3 records. Under state rules, that brings up a coin toss to determine the seeds, which the Chieftains won to end up No. 18. They then blasted Quincy/North Quincy and upset Beverly and Austin Prep in an unforgettable postseason.

What if that coin had dropped the other way? What if the Chieftains had drawn Arlington and then faced Woburn two round early? What if Peabody had drawn QNQ and then went on to face Beverly?

It’s possible the entire landscape of the this weekend’s state final would be different; Masco could’ve knocked off state finalist Woburn, or Beverly could’ve made a run. Defending champ Austin Prep might still be alive if they’d seen the Panthers — a team whose number they’ve had — instead of Masco.

Instead, it all worked out as we saw over the last two weeks. All set up by the way that one coin bounced on Selection Saturday several weeks ago.

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Here are our annual Kick Saves All-Area teams and awards. Note that the Salem News Girls Hockey Player of the Year and Coach of the Year will be revealed with the rest of our winter sports all-stars beginning late next week.

Kick Saves/Salem News Girls Hockey Dream Team

F: McKinley Karpa, Beverly — One of the most tenacious and heady players to ever skate on the North Shore graduates with 155 points in only three years. If she’d had four, she’d have smashed the area scoring record. Also the only player in the Kick Saves era to lead the area in scoring three consecutive seasons.

F: Izzy Primack, Beverly — Another three year stalwart who graduates with 123 points. Had a great sense of the net from along the walls and also the ability to put the puck inside a mail slot from the dots on the power play. Chemistry with friend and linemate Karpa may never be matched.

F: Izzy Sarra, Masconomet — Graduated as Masco’s second all-time leading scorer with 90 points. More than that, this captain was relentless on the puck and demanded all-out effort of herself and her teammates. The rarest of rare straw-that-stirs-the-drink type kids.

D: Abby Dirks, Pingree — A remarkable return from an ACL tear for this two-year captain from Danvers. Played more minutes than any other blue liner in the area and also had a career-best and defenseman-leading 22 points; Possessed a booming shot, too, with nine goals.

D: Caroline Buckley, Peabody — Two-year captain helped the Tanners set yet another record for goals against, which improved in each of her four years on the back line. She was the tone setter for the first team in school history to make the state playoffs.

G: Molly Elmore, Masconomet — The busier this freshman was, the better she was. She was outstanding all season but took her game to another level in the postseason, which is the measure of a truly great player.

All-Senior team

F’s: Karpa, Sarra, Primack

D: Madi Brooke and Rachael Duval, Masconomet.

G: Cece Purcell, Pingree

All-Junior team

F’s: Cassie Mirasolo, Peabody; Sami Kelleher, Masconomet; Kate Irons, Beverly

D’s: Kaydee Purcell, Peabody; Riane Vatcher, Masconomet

G: Maddy Jalbert, Beverly

All-Sophomore team

F’s: Brittany Foster, Beverly; Sydney Cresta, Marblehead; Abby Gendron, Masconomet.

D’s: Tiffany Foster, Beverly; Anna Behringer, Masconomet.

G: Abby Buckley, Peabody.

All-Freshman/Middle school team

F’s: Sammie Mirasolo, Peabody; Katelyn Clarke, Pingree; Cate Delaney, Marblehead.

D’s: Abby Kalinowski, Marblehead; Gianna Conte, Masconomet.

G: Molly Elmore, Masconomet.

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Best defensive defenseman? Brynne O’Connor of Marblehead. That’s a kid that can play for my team any day of the week.

Best defensive forward? Sami Kellher of Masconomet. A prime penalty killer capable of winning a faceoff anytime her team needs it.

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Four breakout players to watch next year:

1. Sydney Foster, Beverly: Likely to be paired alongside her sister Brittany, these two will terrorize Northeastern Hockey League goalies for the bulk of their junior and senior seasons.

2. Sammie Mirasolo, Peabody: Another winger paired with her sister (Cassie) at center, Sammie had a major knack for scoring big goals for the Tanners in her ninth grade season. She has speed and a great backhand shot.

3. Abby Gendron, Masconomet: In a second line role, Gendron scored some but not as much as she will next year. Masco will need more with Izzy Sarra graduating and Gendron will deliver; she has good skating, strong hands and a snipe from the wing.

4. Caylin Wesley, Bishop Fenwick: The Crusaders best overall hockey player flew under the radar a bit this year. She had a great season in goal and could skate on a forward line, too, if needed. Whatever she does, she’ll be tremendous for Fenwick in 2017-18.

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Masconomet falls in overtime to Woburn in state semifinal

By Joshua Boyd
jboyd@wickedlocal.com
The ending of the Division 1 state semifinal in girls hockey between Woburn and Masconomet could best be broken down by a physicist, or kinetics expert.

What was most at play, as the game was 3:03 into overtime, was constant motion becoming changed by the striking of an object (probably a Masco stick), and both direction and speed being altered.
The end result was a shot by Woburn’s Lily Mallard ended up in the back of the Masco net and the Tanners won the semifinal, 2-1, in overtime.

“If they were going to score, I’d rather they score a legit goal, not something tipped, but a goal is a goal,” said Masco head coach Ryan Sugar.

“You never really know how the puck’s going to bounce,” added Masco tri-captain Izzy Sarra. “That’s the tough thing about being a goalie. I think it’s definitely something for [Masco goalie Molly Elmore] being so young and playing at this caliber where there’s a lot of pressure to be something you may not be ready to be yet. She’s risen to the occasion every time, and she did tonight. Sometimes it doesn’t go your way.”

PHOTOS: Masco falls to Woburn, 2-1, in overtime
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8/8HIDE CAPTION
Masconomet captain Izzy Sarra points at fans as she exits the ice after their MIAA Division 1 tournament game loss in overtime to Woburn, 2-1, at the O’Brien Rink in Woburn, Monday, March, 13, 2017. [Wicked Local Staff Photo / David Sokol] [Wicked Local Staff Photo / David Sokol]
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Sami Kelleher of Masconomet fights for the puck with Georgie Santullo of Woburn during their MIAA Division 1 tournament game loss in overtime, 2-1, at the O’Brien Rink in Woburn, Monday, March, 13, 2017. [Wicked Local Staff Photo / David Sokol] [Wicked Local Staff Photo / David Sokol]
2/8HIDE CAPTION
Abby Gendron of Masconomet controls the puck as she is trailed by Angie Moore of Woburn during their MIAA Division 1 tournament game loss in overtime, 2-1, at the O’Brien Rink in Woburn, Monday, March, 13, 2017. [Wicked Local Staff Photo / David Sokol] [Wicked Local Staff Photo / David Sokol]
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Anna Behringer of Masconomet chases after a loose puck with Katelind Ciavardone of Woburn during their MIAA Division 1 tournament game loss in overtime, 2-1, at the O’Brien Rink in Woburn, Monday, March, 13, 2017. [Wicked Local Staff Photo / David Sokol] [Wicked Local Staff Photo / David Sokol]
4/8HIDE CAPTION
Kate Irons of Masconomet and Angie Moore of Woburn both go after the puck during their MIAA Division 1 tournament game loss in overtime, 2-1, at the O’Brien Rink in Woburn, Monday, March, 13, 2017. [Wicked Local Staff Photo / David Sokol] [Wicked Local Staff Photo / David Sokol]
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Mikayla Vincent of Masconomet controls the puck as she is pressured by Emily Carpenter of Woburn during their MIAA Division 1 tournament game loss in overtime, 2-1, at the O’Brien Rink in Woburn, Monday, March, 13, 2017. [Wicked Local Staff Photo / David Sokol] [Wicked Local Staff Photo / David Sokol]
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Sami Kelleher of Masconomet controls the puck as she is pressured by Brianna Jewett of Woburn during their MIAA Division 1 tournament game loss in overtime, 2-1, at the O’Brien Rink in Woburn, Monday, March, 13, 2017. [Wicked Local Staff Photo / David Sokol] [Wicked Local Staff Photo / David Sokol]
7/8HIDE CAPTION
Masconomet players gather around goalie Molly Elmore after their MIAA Division 1 tournament game loss in overtime to Woburn, 2-1, at the O’Brien Rink in Woburn, Monday, March, 13, 2017. [Wicked Local Staff Photo / David Sokol] [Wicked Local Staff Photo / David Sokol]
8/8HIDE CAPTION
Masconomet captain Izzy Sarra points at fans as she exits the ice after their MIAA Division 1 tournament game loss in overtime to Woburn, 2-1, at the O’Brien Rink in Woburn, Monday, March, 13, 2017. [Wicked Local Staff Photo / David Sokol] [Wicked Local Staff Photo / David Sokol]
1/8HIDE CAPTION
Sami Kelleher of Masconomet fights for the puck with Georgie Santullo of Woburn during their MIAA Division 1 tournament game loss in overtime, 2-1, at the O’Brien Rink in Woburn, Monday, March, 13, 2017. [Wicked Local Staff Photo / David Sokol] [Wicked Local Staff Photo / David Sokol]
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Elmore, a freshman, played her usual strong game, making 33 saves on 35 shots.

“She played amazing all season long. Today, she stood on her head for us,” said Sugar. “[There was] a bad bounce on that tip, it didn’t work out. If that was a clean shot, she would have had it.”

Woburn peppered Elmore with 14 shots in the first period, while Masco could produce just four shots. However, it was the Chieftains that ended up getting on the board first.

“I told them [in the first intermission] they need to step up now, and they stepped right out in the second period and put a goal in quickly,” said Sugar.
Lexi Rosenbaum found Sarra in front of the net. Sarra got one backhand on, Woburn’s Katelind Ciavardone made the save, and then Sarra backhanded in the rebound for a 1-0 lead just 52 seconds into the second period. Rachael Duval also earned an assist on the goal.

“Keep digging until that light goes on, that’s all I ask for,” said Sugar.

“It was very lucky, and very tenacious poking on my end,” said Sarra, of her goal. “Just shove a lot. It’s a lot of shoving. It’s always a good feeling to get [on the board] first, especially. It definitely got the momentum going forward. It was pretty sloppy in the first. Sometimes you don’t get the right kickstart, but we got the momentum early in the second.”

A pair of Masco penalties about four minutes later snapped some of that momentum, and even gave Woburn a 5-on-3 advantage for 22 seconds. Irons and Sarra both made key shot blocks to minimize the pressure on Elmore. Masco killed those two penalties.

Sarra and Sami Kelleher both made key picks as well, turning those turnovers into offensive opportunities.

“Every single person on this team gave me 100 percent. I couldn’t say anything bad about anyone on this team,” added Sugar. “The past few games all they’ve been doing is blocking a ton of shots, the forwards and defense. Anything Molly sees, she’s stopping, but defensively we played a hell of a game. It didn’t work out in the end.”

Woburn got on the board for the first time at 5:49 of the third period.
Junior forward Maddie Russo got a clean look at the net, and was able to wrist the puck into the top right corner on the power play. Mallard and Georgie Santullo had the assists.

Both Woburn’s Marissa Gregory and Masco’s Riane Vatcher made important shot blocks in the final seconds of regulation to send the game into the extra session, which was played with four skaters and goalie per side.

“The 4-on-4 gave me an opportunity to mix up some people in the overtime to see what works. We couldn’t get the puck out of our zone,” added Sugar.

“I think I’ll feel OK,” said Sarra. “I know that everyone wanted it as bad as they possibly could. In terms of emptying the bucket, we always have a little more to give, and maybe it wasn’t given tonight.”

Masco finished 12-9-3, including its 3-1 state tournament stand. This was a team that had to get a win in its final two games. They went into the Newburyport Bank Classic in late February after a five-game winless streak, but they took care of business and got the two points they needed against a Winthrop co-op team that beat the Chieftains 3-2 to start off that streak. Once they got into the tournament, they just rolled for three classic games.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the legacy my class and this team have left on this program, and that we have left with the upcoming generations of players,” said Sarra. “It’s bittersweet knowing that my season is ending, but it’s fantastic knowing that we were the trailblazers for what’s to come.”

“With the preseason, we just played our 28th game of the season,” added Coach Sugar. “Obviously, this stings, especially for the seniors, this is it for them. They came out, and gave everything. Nobody expected us to be where we are right now. It was an incredible run. I’m just proud of everyone on this team.”

EMPTYING THE BUCKET: Masco girls gave their all in overtime loss to Woburn

By Matt Williams Staff writer

  

 

  

WOBURN — It was going to take a puck with eyes.

With a trip to the Division 1 state final at TD Garden at stake and every player for both underdog Masconomet and favored Woburn leaving every bit of themselves on the ice in sudden death overtime, there was no way the tiebreaking goal would hit the back of the net cleanly.

After 4:03 of extra time, Woburn’s Lily Mallard unleashed a high blast that ticked off two Chieftain sticks on its way to sneaking inside the crossbar to send the Tanners past Masconomet, 2-1, in a thrilling state semifinal Monday at O’Brien Rink.

The No. 3 seed Tanners (20-2-2) scored the last two goals of the game to outlast Masconomet (12-9-3), an upstart No. 18 seed that made the best playoff run in the program’s 15-year history.

The Cinderella story came to a close despite a near heroic 37-save effort in net from freshman Molly Elmore.

“I think I feel OK because I know everyone on our team wanted it as badly as they possibly could have,” said Masconomet senior captain Izzy Sarra. “It’s an emotionally and physically exhausting game, and that comes with a lot of pressure. You always feel like you have a little more to give, but we didn’t leave much out there.”

Sarra’s goal just 52 seconds into the second period put Masconomet on the scoreboard first. As Elmore stopped the first 30 shots she faced, it seemed like the single tally might stand up. But Woburn cashed in on its fifth power play of the game with 9:11 left in the third to draw even.

“I knew one goal wasn’t going to be enough,” said first-year Masconomet head coach Ryan Sugar. “Woburn’s an amazing team. They were expected to be here and we weren’t, but our kids played amazing. We just couldn’t hold on.”

Early in overtime (contested 4-on-4), Elmore made a strong pad save on Woburn sniper Georgie Santullo (37 goals on the year). Sarra steamed the other way, made an inside-outside move around a defender and nearly won it, only to be denied by Tanner goalie Katlind Caivardone (21 saves).

In part due to 10 power plays in regulation (5 for each side), both teams were exhausted in overtime. Woburn won an offensive zone draw with 4 minutes to go, and Mallard’s bomb snuck in at 4:03 to end it.

“I was hoping for a shootout by the end,” Sugar said. “That goal ticked off a couple of sticks. If it was clean, Molly would’ve stopped it. We knew coming in that it would be our toughest game … and it didn’t go our way.”

Woburn had the better of the play in the first period, with Elmore making 12 saves to help her team escape at 0-0. The Chieftains came out on fire in the second, with Sarra getting free in the slot after strong cycling by Mikayla Vincent on the opening shift. Her initial bid saved, Sarra got a stick under the goalie’s pad for her 19th goal of the season.

“Very lucky and very tenacious,” Sarra said of her goal. “It was a lot of shoving.”

Assisted by Mikayla Vincent and defenseman Lexi Rosenbaum, the goal was a classic Sarra tally, Sugar said: “She keeps digging until that light goes on.”

Senior defensemen Madi Brooke and Duval barely left the ice in the third period and overtime for Masconomet. Duval was credited with seven of her team’s 17 blocked shots and both mainstays gave all their heart and bodies in their efforts to hold down Woburn’s attack.

“Both of them, it’s 100 percent every time they touch the ice,” said Sugar. “I had to shorten things up at the end, and they played a ton and never let up.”

Woburn’s tying goal came off the stick of Maddi Russo with 9:11 left in the third while on the power play. The Chieftains had killed off 23 seconds of Tanner 5-on-3 time only two minutes prior and couldn’t cash in on their own advantage in the short time between calls.

Back on the advantage, the Tanners got the puck quickly across the ice to a free Russo for the tying score.

Woburn had the better of the chances over the final seven minutes, though Masconomet’s Abby Gendron got free for two looks at the net that were saved. Sami Kelleher (8 faceoff wins) also had a strong game for the Chieftains, along with linemate Kate Irons.

“We just played our 28th game including scrimmages. Obviously, this stings,” said Sugar. “They came out and gave everything they had, so I’m proud of them. It was an incredible run.”

Though Masconomet fell short of the state final at TD Garden (where Woburn will face Needham Sunday), the team’s three playoff wins are more than any other club in program history … and, in fact, more than many in the history of their league.

Graduating seven seniors — Sarra, Brooke, Duval, Lily O’Grady, Olivia Nieves, Sophia Nieves and Mackenzie Saitta — Masconomet left the ice with much to be proud of.

“I couldn’t be prouder of my class’ legacy and the year we had,” said Sarra. “It’s bittersweet knowing my season and my career are ending, but it’s fantastic knowing that we’re trail blazers for what’s to come for this team.”

Woburn 2, Masconomet 1 (OT)

Division 1 state semifinal

at O’Brien Rink, Woburn

Masconomet 0 1 0 0 — 1

Woburn 0 0 1 1 — 2

First period: No scoring.

Second period: M, Izzy Sarra (Rachael Duval, Lexi Rosenbaum), :52.

Third period: W, Maddie Russo (Georgie Santullo, Lily Mallard), ppg, 5:49.

Overtime: W, Mallard (Brianna Jewett), 4:03.

Saves: M, Molly Elmore 37; W, Katelind Ciavardone 21.

Records: M, 12-9-3; W, 20-2-2.

Freshman goalie Elmore keys Masconomet’s incredible run to girls hockey state semis

By Matt Williams Staff writer Mar 13, 2017

Freshman goalie Molly Elmore is a big part of the team’s “protect the house” defensive mentality. She had more than 300 saves this season. Jim Vaiknoras/Staff photo

The first time she saw goalie pads, Molly Elmore wanted to climb into the crease and try her luck stopping pucks.

She was only eight years old and whether is was on the ice or on the concrete floor of her basement, nothing was going to stop her from making saves.

“I remember my parents said ‘Nah, maybe next year.’ So I went to my basement, put on all my gear, threw the ball at the wall and saved it when it came back at me. I did that for hours and hours,” Elmore recalled.

“And when I was 11 and I played my first year in net, it blew my mind how much I loved it.”

Now the freshman mainstay for the Masconomet girls co-op team, Elmore’s ability to stay clam under pressure and make huge saves is what’s blowing the minds of her Chieftain teammates and their fans.

Riding the hot hand of their young goalie, No. 18 seed Masconomet (12-8-3) is in the Division 1 state semifinals for the first time in program history. They face host Woburn (19-2-2) Monday at O’Brien Rink at 5 p.m., with the winner advancing to the state finals next Sunday at TD Garden in Boston.

“Molly’s been incredible,” said senior captain Madi Brooke, one of Masconomet’s staunch defensemen. “She’s composed. She’s got skill and the mentality for the position. She’s always yelling at us on the ice and telling us where to be.”

Elmore has posted some impressive numbers this season. She’s 12-7-2 and has played 900 minutes, allowing only 1.95 goals per game. Her 503 saves are the second-highest total in program history for a single season, and her .930 save percentage is among the best in the state.

“She’s been our backbone,” said first-year Chieftains head coach Ryan Sugar. “To do what she’s done as a freshman? It’s incredible.”

It’s not easy stepping into a big role as a first-year player. It’s even tougher on a co-operative team as girls from five different schools try to get to know one another.

Coming from Newburyport, Elmore made the Clippers’ varsity soccer team last fall, and those relationships helped her hockey transition along.

“I knew Sami Kelleher and she helped a lot with meeting new people,” Elmore said. “I came in a little nervous and scared about playing with older kids, not knowing how the high school game would be. But it’s been such an amazing experience with everyone supporting me no matter if I have a good game or a bad game.”

For Elmore, there have been far more good games over the course of the 2016-17 season.

She has 4 1/2 shutouts (one of those was shared with senior MacKenzie Saitta) and has been at the top of her game in the state tournament. Elmore held Quincy to one goal in the opening round, made 41 saves to knock off second-ranked Beverly and followed that up by holding defending state champion Austin Prep to one goal in the state quarters.

“We’ve been the underdogs in every game and didn’t know how far we could go,” said Elmore. “It’s been an unbelievable run so far. And playing in front these big crowds? Our fans make us feel like we’re knocking it out of the park.”

Elmore is a strong butterfly-style goalkeeper who has a knack for controlling rebounds. It’s nearly impossible to knock the puck free once she gets a pad or a glove on it, and she has a tendency to stop every puck she can see. She also doesn’t get rattled, making some 10-bell saves last week against Beverly even after the Panthers rallied to get a 4-3 lead in the third period.

“She’s one of the most competitive kids I’ve ever been around,” captain Izzy Sarra said.

Outstanding in 1-on-1 battles, Elmore made four stops in the five-round shootout to beat rival Beverly (which was Masconomet’s first win over the Panthers in 17 tries going all the way back to 2009).

“Molly actually loves shootouts. She’s crazy,” said Brooke. “She was happy to get in the shootout, and it was great to see her get those saves. We were all so excited and proud of her for doing that.”

The Chieftains have a tremendous senior defensive pair in Brooke and fellow senior Rachael Duval; they’re essentially what the Zdeno Chara-Dennis Seidenberg pair meant to the 2011 Stanley Cup champion Bruins. Young blue liners Riane Vatcher, Gianna Conte and Anna Behringer have been strong as well; as a team, Masco can defend with their backs to the goal because they trust Elmore to make the easy saves.

The Red-and-White call it protecting the house. They do it as well as any guard dog or home security system.

“My defense has been so great this year,” Elmore said. “I trust them no matter what and we communicate really well.”

The Chieftains have embraced an “empty the bucket” mentality in these playoffs. It’s brought them to the brink of history — and they have a rock between the pipes to cover up any breakdowns.

“Everyone gives energy. Even when the legs are dead, they keep pushing,” said Elmore. “When you see the players in front of you keep pushing and pushing like that, you can’t help but makes the saves for them.”

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How tall is Masconomet’s task of upending Woburn? The Tanners are 19-2-2 and outscoring their opponents, 104-26. They were unbeaten over their first 17 games and boast one of the state’s leading scorers in Georgie Santullo (37-plus goals).

It won’t be a totally unfamiliar foe for the Chieftains, however. The teams scrimmaged each other in early December.

Interestingly, the last time a seed lower than Masconomet’s No. 18 made the state semis was in 2010, when Woburn made it that far as a 22-seed. The Tanners made it to TD Garden that year but fell to St. Mary’s of Lynn in the final; they’re seeking their first state final since then, while Masconomet is eyeing its first-ever trip.

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Looking for an unsung hero for this Masconomet group? Look no further than junior winger Lexi Rosenbaum. Since returning to the ice after missing a chunk of time with an injury, Rosenbaum has given the team a significant scoring boost. She has points in all three playoff wins and her seven goals rank fifth on the club, no small feat considering the number of game’s she’s played.

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A few nuggets: Sarra’s 90 career points are now second on the Chieftains’ all-time scoring list … Prior to this season, the Chieftains had only won one state playoff game in their 14 varsity seasons; this year’s group has tripled that with three playoff wins … Masconomet is the third team in Northeastern Hockey League history to advance to a state final four, joining Marblehead’s 2008 Division 2 squad and Winthrop’s 2011 Division 1 entrant; A victory Monday would make Masco the first team in league history to reach a state championship game.

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Keep eye on the first goal Monday night. Masconomet is 11-0-1 this season when they score first.

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Newburyport Daily News sports editor Dan Harrison contributed to this story. Be sure to follow Matt Williams on Twitter @MattWilliams_SN for live updates from Monday night’s game.

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Cohesive defensive pairings drives Masconomet into state semis

By Dan Harrison Staff writer Mar 11, 2017

  

There is no substitute for good chemistry.

Teams need just the right level of cohesion to make a big playoff run, and in the sport of hockey, successful defensive pairings need to gel in order to lock-down against the talented forwards, who are more and more explosive the deeper a team makes it into the tournament.

For the Masconomet girls, the two go hand-in-hand.

The Chieftains have pulled off an impressive postseason streak, winning three games en route to Monday’s Division 1 state semifinal against Woburn. One of the ingredients at the top of the list of coach Ryan Sugar’s formula for success is the effort and execution of his blue liners.

“Our defense has a lot of great chemistry,” said senior Rachael Duval, who is paired up with senior captain Madi Brooke as Masco’s top tandem. “We’ve gotten to learn how our partners play and where the pucks are going. A huge part of defense is knowing your partner really well.”

So how well do Duval and Brooke know each other?

Considering the two girls have been playing hockey together since the age of eight, there aren’t many things that can happen on the ice that the duo isn’t prepared to handle together. It was a pass across the point from Duval to Brooke that led to one of the goals against AP, and in the shootout against Beverly, Sugar called on Brooke to take one of the five attempts and the senior lit the lamp.

The two Masconomet schoolmates were named Northeast Hockey League all-stars with all-league honors going to Duval.

“We’ve literally grown up playing hockey together,” Brooke said of playing with Duval. “I know Rachael so well. I know everything about her game and she knows everything about me. We know each other and where we’re going to be.”

Along with the great chemistry, preparation has been vital in terms of knowing the tendencies of opposing teams and their top forwards. Whether it’s who has the most dangerous shot, or where a certain forward is likely to carry the puck, Duval, Brooke and the rest of the girls on the back end know their opponents inside and out.

A big part of the strategy is keeping the middle of the ice clean and clearing rebounds away from the crease area after freshman netminder Molly Elmore makes the initial save; which is something she’s done time and again during the playoffs.

Executing the game plan comes down to smarts and effort, and with seniors like Duval and Brooke, there is nothing the girls won’t do to get the job done.

“Especially for us seniors who have never made it this far, knowing every game could be our last 45 minutes on the ice is definitely a big motivation for us,” said Brooke. “All the underclassmen feel it too … To be able to be underdogs and beat all these teams no one thought we could beat as an 18 seed is bringing us all together.”

As for the other D pairing Sugar has been rolling with, Triton sophomores Riane Vatcher and Anna Behringer as well as Triton freshman Gianna Conte have been mixed and matched, and whatever grouping Sugar goes with, it’s been working brilliantly.

The team allowed just one goal against Quincy before beating No. 2 Beverly and then holding defending state champion Austin Prep to just a goal in Tuesday’s 3-1 triumph.

“Rachael and Madi are probably the most dominant defensive pair in our league. They’re both big players who can skate, move the puck and shoot,” said Sugar. “Riane plays on the second pair rotating in Anna and Gianna. Riane has a ton of speed and Anna and Gianna are two, solid defensemen. Those three right there are our future for the next year or two as well.”

Nobody in the locker room is thinking beyond Monday evening in Woburn.

Well, that isn’t entirely true. Playing in the TD Garden, which is where the state final will take place, is too alluring a prospect not to pop into the Chieftains’ minds.

“I’ve been talking about this with my dad for three days. Making it to a final in the Garden would be a dream come true. Every time I talk about it my cheeks get swollen and I start smiling,” said Duval. “It would be historical for us as a team to make it to the Garden and prove seeds are truly just numbers. And Masco girls hockey is something to talk about. I think it would be enormous for us as a program.