Hockey: Winthrop wins to take NEC North title

The Winthrop hockey team came to Rockett Arena in Salem Saturday knowing it controlled its own destiny to win the Northeastern Conference North title.A Viking win would give the program its first NEC title since 2004. A loss or a tie would allow Peabody and Revere to have a say in who won the league.Sticking to what has been its strong point all season, the Vikings used the solid goaltending of Pat Feeley and timely offense to beat the Panthers, 2-0, and indeed give the program its first title in five seasons.”It’s been our hallmark all season – great team defense and goaltending,” Winthrop coach Dale Dunbar said.The Vikings (14-1-2, 13-1-1 NEC) also were able to take a step back up the ladder in terms of the state tournament with the win, reassuming the top spot in Division 2 North from Peabody.”We’ve taken everybody’s best punch and we’re still standing. That’s a good indication of a team knowing how to win,” Dunbar said.Once again on Saturday the Vikings didn’t look glamorous in getting the job done but it accomplished the task that was in front of them.Nick Clewer gave Winthrop a 1-0 lead late in the first period with a goal assisted by Ricky Boudrow at 13:54. Boudrow then upped the lead to 2-0 at 4:54 of the second, assisted by Dan Shannon and Mark Hamilton.After that it was a show for the Winthrop defense, which was solid again in front of Feeley, who kept the pesky Panthers (6-13-0, 3-12-0 NEC North) at bay during a pair of third period power play opportunities.Revere 6, Peabody 2At McVann-O’Keefe Rink in Peabody, the Patriots (13-2-3, 12-2-1 NEC North) completed a season sweep of Peabody (16-3-0, 12-3-0 NEC North) and with it ended the Tanners 13 game win streak and assured themselves of second place in the NEC North.Senior defenseman Chris Mastropietro was the ringleader in the win, recording a hat trick and going over the 100-point mark for his career.”Chris was just unbelievable,” Revere coach Jim Palumbo said. “He is peaking at the right time.”Revere led 1-0 after one before Elijah Cohen tied it for Peabody 22 seconds into the second period. Mastropietro then scored twice and Joe Corbett added a third goal as the Patriots ran out to a 4-1 lead after two. Sean Dean (goal, two assists) increased the lead to 5-1 before Tom Linnane and Matt Vasquez exchanged goals to close the scoring.The Tanners are back in action today (2) in the annual Carlin Cup game with Bishop Fenwick while Revere plays Triton today (5) in the opening round of the Newburyport Bank Ice Hockey Classic.Fenwick 7, Lowell Cath. 0At Janas Rink in Lowell, the Crusaders (11-3-3, 8-0-0 Catholic Central League) got a pair of goals from Mark Sparaco and a goal and four assists by Tyler Burgess to complete league play unblemished. Joe Cannatella added a goal and three assists.James Gattuso, Louis Williams and Chris Renzulli also scored, and goalie Blaine Thibodeau made 15 saves.Martha’s Vineyard 3,Lynnfield 1At Oak Bluffs, the Pioneers (9-7-4) lost for the second time in a week to the Vineyarders in the finals of the Fairleigh Dickinson Tournament. Rocco Schelzi had the Lynnfield goal, assisted by Mike Connolly, to tie the game in the first period.Lynnfield 3, North Reading 0At Oak Bluffs Saturday, Lynnfield clinched a state tournament berth as Mark Connolly scored twice with John Lee and Dylan Costa each having two assists to lead the way.Craig Cataldo posted his second shutout of the season.”For us to get two points on the first night and make the tournament, we were very pleased,” Lynnfield coach Vin Mirasolo said.St. John’s 5, Spr. Cath. 3At Olympia Sports Center in Springfield, the Eagles (7-5-6) Colin Blackwell had a goal and three assists as the Prep clinched a state tourney.”For this team to accomplish what it has despite being so young, I am proud of the guys,” Prep coach Kristian Hanson said.The teams were tied at 1-1 after the opening period before Derek Palm, Blackwell and Sam Kurker helped give the Eagles a 4-2 lead after two. Cathedral cut the