Hockey: Marblehead scores two late goals to tie Saugus

Penalties are the bane of any hockey team’s existence. And on Saturday at Rockett Arena in Salem, that fact proved costly to Saugus.The Sachems were in complete control for nearly 35 minutes against Marblehead, leading 3-1 when the penalty bug hit them. The Magicians got a power play goal from Chris McLeod with 1:45 left and then stole away a point when Ryan Dempsey scored with 6.4 seconds left to end things in a 3-3 tie.”We were very undisciplined and it cost us,” Saugus coach Jeff Natalucci said. “That’s the bottom line. And we’re better than that. We let what they were doing get to us and got undisciplined.”It was a game dominated by special teams as the Sachems’ (6-1-5, 3-1-5 NEC North) three goals all came on the man advantage. Kurt Rodrigues gave Saugus a 1-0 lead after one period when he scored, assisted by Nick Taylor and Drew Oxley, at 4:33.The Headers (7-4-3, 4-3-2 NEC South) pulled even early in the second when Alex Whitmore slapped a shot off the left post and behind Nick Hegarty. Saugus would strike twice though before the middle frame ended, both on power plays.First it was Nick Taylor with a snap shot through a screen at 7:49 before Mike Kotowski scored off a goal mouth scrum at 12:19 for a 3-1 Sachem lead.Then the penalties began to pile up in droves for Saugus. The Headers got the game’s final five man advantage chances but came up empty until McLeod scored on Marblehead’s ninth power play of the game to make it 3-2.The Headers were still in need of a miraculous finish and they got it when Dempsey tapped home a McLeod rebound at the right post to salvage a tie.”We played with a bit of an edge and intensity for the final minutes,” Marblehead coach Bob Jackson said. “That’s what we’ve been talking about with the kids and it’s the first time its happened. It was a great way for us to come back and get a point.Peabody 8, Lynn 2At McVann-O’Keefe Rink in Peabody, the Tanners (9-2-2, 8-1-2 NEC North) clinched a tournament berth and stayed in first place in the NEC North as Nico Manganiello and Eric Costa each had two goals and two assists to lead the attack.Rob Houghton and Mike Chiappini added a goal and two assists each with Andrew Bisconti and Eric Muise also having a goal. Lynn (2-9-1, 2-5-1 NEC South) received its goals from Kyle Devin and Tony Uva.Lynnfield 5, Medford 2At LoConte Rink in Medford, it was a nice bounce back for the Pioneers (7-4-3) after letting a third period lead slip away against Masconomet on Thursday. Greg Meiniger had a pair of goals while Matt Kelly and John Festa each had a goal and an assist.Lynnfield led 2-0 after one and 5-0 after two periods. Jeremy Young dished out three assists for the Pioneers.Fenwick 8, Trinity Catholic 0At McVann-O’Keefe Rink in Peabody, it took a while, but the Crusaders (8-2-2, 4-0 CCL Small) were able to pull away from the visitors. Mike Cipriani and Bret Kidik each scored twice while Lynn’s Will Clancy had a goal and an assist.Andrew Ruby had a goal and two assists while Joe Shea had a goal and three assists. Mike Napolitano added a goal and an assist.Danvers 2, Swampscott 1At Rockett Arena in Salem, the Falcons (8-2-2, 6-2-1 NEC North) Jack McCarthy scored with 2:20 remaining to help the hosts stave off the upset bid.Swampscott (4-9-1, 0-9-1 NEC South) trailed 1-0 entering the third before Gino Cresta scored at 5:11, assisted by Corey Carmody and Chris Carmen, to tie the game.Gloucester 6, Revere 1At Cronin Rink in Revere, the Fishermen (5-7-1, 4-5-1 NEC North) won their third straight game as John Interrante had a goal and two assists. Ben Chianciola, Alex Webb and Geoff Kennedy each had a goal and an assist.St. John’s 4, Austin Prep 1At Stoneham Arena in Stoneham, the Eagles (7-4-1) got a pair of goals from Colin Blackwell and singletons from Sam Kurker and Shane Eiserman to dump the Cougars.GIRLS HOCKEYShrewsbury 1, Winthrop 1At Larsen Arena in Winthrop, the Bulldogs (9-2-1) dominated most of the way but were stonewalled by a hot goaltender. Shrewsbury, w