Redding shines but Revere boys hockey can’t match Triton

NEWBURYPORT – Revere goaltender Jeff Redding had Triton Regional shooters shaking their heads for the opening 20-plus minutes of last night’s Fournier Division semifinal game in the Newburyport Bank Classic at Graf Rink, gobbling up every shot the Vikings sent his way.However, Triton (9-9-2), which entered this tournament needing three points to qualify for post-season play for the first time since 2007, eventually solved Redding and rolled to a 5-0 win and into the Fournier Division championship game against Haverhill Thursday night at 7 p.m. Revere, now 6-14-0, concludes its season in the consolation game against Matignon at 5.Redding, a recent Northeastern Conference all-star selection, did all he could to keep the Patriots level with Triton, piling up 33 saves before exiting in favor of Adam Comeau in the waning minutes. However, as has been the case for much of the season, the Patriots were unable to generate consistent offensive pressure as they were outshot, 41-18.”He’s been like that all year. He sees more than 30 shots almost every game and has had one heckuva year,” Revere coach Jim Palumbo said of Redding. “We don’t get many shots, but he’s kept us in most games this season.”Redding was on top of his game from the outset, denying 13 Triton shots in the first period alone. He matched that number in the second period, highlighted by a larcenous glove save on Triton’s Matt Velonis, whose 20-footer from the right circle was ticketed for the far top corner with 9:11 left in the period.Not to be denied, Velonis gave Triton the only goal it needed just 26 seconds later. He parked himself in the mid-slot, settled Tucker Johnson’s pass from the bottom rim of the left circle and zipped a wrist shot high to Redding’s stick side.Johnson (goal, two assists) doubled the lead with 6:39 left in the period, steering Nate Williamson’s cross-crease feed into the open left side. Cam D’Agostino connected on the power play with 1:19 left in the period, then Williamson (goal, two assists) beat the second-period horn and Redding from a scramble in front for a 4-0 edge after two. Schuyler Reilly completed the scoring in the game’s final three minutes, beating Comeau from close quarters.”We knew Triton’s situation and they came out like gangbusters in the first period and then really picked it up in the final five minutes of the second period. That sequence determined the outcome of the game,” said Palumbo.Palumbo is looking for a strong showing against Matignon and is hopeful the experience gained this week will serve a springboard into next season. “We’re very young with only five seniors. The goal was to get as many kids involved this year so they would have the experience coming back next season,” he said.