NEC’s elite impress in all-star hockey game

The top talent that the Northeastern Conference has to offer in hockey was on full display Saturday at Salem State University’s Rockett Arena as the annual all-star game was held in front of a packed house.The game turned out to be a nip and tuck affair that saw the Blue all-stars rally late when Winthrop’s Nick Clewer tied the game with 1:41 left in regulation. Revere’s Dale Paradise then won the game late in sudden death overtime as the Blue grabbed a 5-4 victory.Click here for a photo gallery.The White all-stars were in control for most of the 25 minute first half as Danvers’ Brian O’Keefe and Marblehead’s Chris McLeod staked their team to a 2-0 lead. Gloucester’s John Interrante cut the lead in half with just over eight minutes left in the first half when he scored on a rebound to make it 2-1 at the intermission.The two goal lead was restored early in the second half before Saugus’ Drew Oxley and Interrante scored midway through the second half to deadlock the game at 3-3.Danvers’ Joe Strangie put the White stars back in front with a little under seven minutes left before Clewer scored on a rebound to tie the game with 101 seconds left.In overtime, goaltenders Jeff Redding of Revere and Beverly’s Tony Walsh each made big saves. But Paradise was able to shovel home a rebound for the game winner.