Hockey: Prep’s Linehan gives Eagles last-second tie with unbeaten Central Catholic

There will be a group of very interested hockey players at St. John’s Prep on Saturday morning when the State Coaches Association meets to select the 10 teams eligible for the Division 1A tournament.On Wednesday at Merrimack College’s Lawler Arena in North Andover, the Eagles had one final chance to state their case against unbeaten Central Catholic. But it looked like the Prep’s hopes were going to be dashed as the Raiders led 4-3 with seconds remaining.But Kyle Linehan was in the right place at the right time to fire home a Nick Riccio rebound with 14.6 seconds left to earn the Prep a 4-4 tie and a 7-6-7 final record.”For us to battle back and come away with a point is somewhat satisfying,” Prep coach Kristian Hanson said. “It certainly will be interesting on Saturday and we’ll just have to wait and see.Colin Blackwell again was the offensive leader for the Eagles on Wednesday, recording two goals and an assist. Linehan finished with a goal and an assist and Pete Cahill scored his first varsity goal in the opening period.Saugus 7, Amesbury 3At Graf Rink in Newburyport, the Sachems (8-10-2) rattled off four unanswered goals to break a 3-3 tie and win the Gulazian Division consolation game at the Newburyport Bank Ice Hockey Classic.”It was a great bounce back for us after Monday,” Saugus coach Chris Connors said.Steve Groark and Joe Vecchione led the Saugus offense with two goals and an assist each.Derek Stretton had the game-winning goal and an assist with Tyler Calla adding two helpers. Anthony Cucuzza had the other Saugus goal.The Sachems close the regular season tonight (7:10) at Kasabuski Arena against Dennis-Yarmouth before awaiting their seed in the Division 2 North tournament.Everett 3, Swampscott 2At Rockett Arena in Salem, the Big Blue (12-4-4) had a 47-17 shots on goal advantage but saw the visitors score twice in the second to break a 1-1 tie.”We had great scoring opportunities and couldn’t seem to finish them off,” Swampscott coach Gino Faia said.Justin Massey had a goal and an assist for Swampscott. John Pelletier added the other goal with A.J. Zarinsky and Gino Cresta each having an assist. The Big Blue will most likely be the No. 2 seed in the Division 3 North tournament when the pairings are announced Saturday.Beverly 6, Fenwick 3At Rockett Arena in Salem, the Panthers (6-13-0) ran out to a 3-0 lead after two periods and held on from there as Brian Spencer and Tyler Albano each scored twice.Jack Liacos added a goal and two assists while Spencer had an assist to go with his two goals. James Gatusso, Adam Clay and Bobby Liberge had the Fenwick goals.The Crusaders (11-5-3) got assists from Gatusso, Mark Sparaco and Dale Crispin.North Reading 5, Lynnfield 3At Burbank Ice Arena in Reading, the Pioneers (9-8-4) were the victims for the second straight season as North Reading (9-9-2) locked up a tournament berth with the win.Mike Lang had a goal and an assist while Brian Relihan dished out two assists. John Lee and Craig Anderson had the other Lynnfield goals.Winthrop 2, Plymouth South 1 (OT)At Larsen Rink in Winthrop, the Vikings’ (15-1-3) Kyle Cummings scored in overtime off a George Costa assist to send the hosts into Friday’s (7:30) final of the Viking Pride February Freeze tourney against Melrose.Winthrop led 1-0 after one on a goal by fourth-liner Harry Benson before Plymouth tied the game in the third.In other action, Lincoln-Sudbury bested Danvers, 4-0, to reach the Bresnahan Division finals of the Newburyport tournament against St. Mary’s on Friday (7). The Falcons (3-16-0) will play Newburyport in the consolation game at 5. And Gloucester closed its season with a 4-3 win at Arlington.