Roundup: Danvers icemen ride quick start to upend Peabody

It was a quick start and a spectacular finish for the Danvers hockey team at McVann-O’Keefe Rink on Friday. The Falcons scored a pair of first period goals and then used a stingy defense and brilliant goaltending from Seth Kamens to knock off Peabody, 2-1, and throw the NEC North race up in the air.”We’re halfway through the year now and a lot of the guys we have that hadn’t had a lot of varsity experience have that now and we’re playing well,” Danvers coach Kevin Brown said.The Falcons (7-2-2) Brian O’Keefe scored just 3:14 into the contest, assisted by Joe Strangie and Jack McCarthy. Late in the first, third liner Hodgkins converted off a Jack Doyle feed and Danvers head off with a 2-0 lead.”We’ve talked about it all year and for some reason we can’t get off to a good start in the first period,” Tanners coach Mark Leonard said. “It just killed us.”Peabody (8-2-2) got on the board early in the second when Connor Purcell tipped home Eric Muise’s slapshot from the right point. It stayed that way the rest of the game thanks to Kamens, who’s sterling glove save of Rob Houghton’s power play bid late in regulation saved the game.SWIMMINGTech 91, Minuteman 77At Lexington, the Tigers clinched at least a share of the Commonwealth Conference/Small title with the victory.Alex Cintron was a double winner, taking the 200 IM (2:39.7) and 100 backstroke (1:24.9). Victor Vasquez also won two events, snaring the 50 (26.01) and 100 freestyle (1:03.4).Also taking wins were James Zorzi in the 200 breaststroke (1:24.99) and Josh Rockwood in the 200 free (2:38.62). The Tigers also took home the 200 medley (2:08.83) and 400 free relays.Peabody 96, Classical 77At Tech, the Tanners (5-3) completed their season by taking wins in every event. Peabody had a trio of double winners as Alex Strakosha took the 100 breaststroke (1:10.40) and 200 free (1:57.41); Christine Shea took the 200 IM (2:31.66) and 500 free (6:03.43) while Julie Shea won the 100 free (1:00.72) and 100 backstroke (1:12.06).Also taking wins were Zack Melville in the 100 butterfly (1:15.3) and Michelle Manfra in diving (211.0). Classical’s Rachel Thomas was second in diving (180.0).