School Roundup: Powers, Tanners come up short against Wildcats

The Peabody hockey team experienced the growing pains of youth on Wednesday when it surrendered five unanswered goals in a 5-1 loss at Winthrop. On Friday, the Tanners took a big step in their maturation process against powerhouse Wilmington.Putting out their best three periods of the season, the Tanners gave the Wildcats all they could handle as goalie Joe Powers made 39 stops, but Cody McGowan’s goal with 3:02 left in the game was the difference in a 2-1 Wilmington win.Despite the loss, Peabody coach Mark Leonard had nothing but rave reviews for his team’s efforts.”They couldn’t have given me anymore out there,” Leonard said. “They worked so hard. This was a big challenge for us and we had one breakdown and it cost us.”That breakdown came off a face-off in the neutral zone with 3:10 left. Dalton Rolli won it cleanly to Luke Foley, who found a wide open McGowan on the right wing for a shot over Powers’ stick side.The Tanners had a chance to steal away a point in the final 45 seconds when they got a rare 6-on-3 power play when two Wildcats were called for penalties. But sophomore goalie Drew Foley made two huge saves to preserve coach Steve Scanlon’s 250th win behind the Wilmington bench.”Joe Powers played phenomenal in goal for us,” Leonard said. “Wilmington is a good team, but if we keep playing like this, we’ll be OK.”St. John’s 7, Winchester 2At Ristuccia Arena in Wilmington, Sam Kurker and Brian Uva had two goals and an assist each as the Eagles (3-0) blew the game open with four second period goals.Nick Pandelena, Andrew Brandano and Justin Longo had goals while Brian Pinho had three assists.WRESTLINGLynnfield 42 Marblehead 4Lynnfield 60 Malden Catholic 6Double victors Eric Kerr (106), Tom Arsenault (220), and Travis Caulfield (145) helped the Pioneers (7-0) to an easy sweep over the Magicians and Lancers. Also winning twice for Lynnfield were Lucas Pascucci (120), Ritchie Falcione (138), and John Elliot (160).Masconomet 48 Saugus 9Haverhill 48 Saugus 17The Sachems dropped a pair of matches on the road, but got two wins from Jesse Hartigan at 138 lbs. Mark Chamberlain (126) also claimed a victory against Masconomet.