Local squads well-represented in Division 2 North boys hockey tourney

In many people’s minds, the Division 2 North sectional is the hardest to win in Eastern Mass. high school hockey. That is because more often than not, the bracket is busted wide open because the competition is so tight between the teams.And if the regular season was an indication, that close competition will continue as six area teams will set out on Thursday on their road to the TD BankNorth Garden in March.Last season, Lynnfield squeaked into the tournament and proceeded to upset Revere, Newburyport and Gloucester to reach the North finals before losing to Andover. This year, the Pioneers have been one of the most consistent teams in the division, going nearly two months without a loss before Friday’s loss to North Reading dropped them to the No. 5 spot.On Thursday in Woburn (8), Lynnfield will take on No. 12 Revere in a rematch of last year’s opening round, won in overtime by the Pioneers. But coach Vin Mirasolo knows it won’t be easy.”It’s going to be a great tournament and you’re probably going to see upsets like usual,” Mirasolo said. “It’s going to be exciting to have these teams play again at the same venue.”The Pioneers come into the tournament possessing the No. 1 offense in the division (98 goals) and the top two scorers on the North Shore in Ryan Smith (21-39-60) and John Connolly (25-20-45). They are joined on that first line by Rob Pedicini (12-13-25) to form the top scoring trio in Division 2 North.Lynnfield also has relied on its old reliable defense to get the job done as goaltender Craig Cataldo and defenseman Alex Young were named Cape Ann League all-stars. But Mirasolo knows that Revere will give that defense a good test.”They are led by a core group of skill players who are dangerous,” Mirasolo said.Leading that core group for the Patriots (9-8-3) is Northeastern Conference North co-MVP Chris Mastropietro, who finished with 22 goals and 38 points from his defense position. Forward Jay Sasso also had a solid year with 16 goals and 12 assists for 28 points.”There’s nothing that these kids aren’t ready for,” Mirasolo said. “They just don’t get fazed.”Stoneham Arena also will be a hotbed for area teams as both Saugus and Peabody will open the tournament there on Thursday.The Sachems, seeded 11th, will play No. 6 Newburyport at 5 with the No. 4 Tanners to follow at 7 against North Andover.Saugus (9-7-3) will be playing its first postseason game since losing in the 2005 state finals but draws one of the hottest teams in the tournament in the Clippers, winners of seven straight.”We are going against a formidable foe,” Saugus coach Chris Connors said. “Newburyport is well coached and one of the hottest teams right now. It’s going to take a complete team effort to beat them.”One thing that Saugus does have is a stellar goaltender in Paul Essery, who was the all-league keeper in the NEC South. And he is sure to be tested against a Clipper team that has five players with 20 or more points, led by 100-point scorer Derek McCoy (19-17-36); Kyle McElroy (17-15-32); and Kevin Holmes (15-16-31).”We’re going to rely on Paul,” Connors said. “We’re looking for him to catch fire and for the team to feed off his energy.”The Tanners, meanwhile, have been an enigma all season. Peabody comes into the tournament with the most wins of any team (15), but also has struggled at times.”We have to play the way we’re capable of,” Peabody coach Mark Leonard said. “North Andover is going to be tough. Hopefully the big ice will help us.”The two played back in December, with the Tanners scraping by in a 4-3 win.Peabody (15-5-0) is led by a talented trio in Elijah Cohen, James Noftle and Matt Rodgers. Cohen led Peabody with 42 points while sharing the North MVP with Mastropietro. Noftle finished with 41 points and Rodgers had 32 points.The Tanner defense will be tested by North Andover’s Ryan Sifferlen, who led the CAL with 31 goals this season.Bishop Fenwick (12-7-1) drew the No. 9 seed and will play No. 8 Danvers (12-6-2) at Salem State on T