The Winthrop/Lynn/Saugus combined girls hockey team is riding high today after defeating Beverly, 3-1, to win the league title and qualify for the state tournament.The Lady Bulldogs, who have now won four in a row, were already on top of the world following Saturday’s win over St. Mary’s. Last night’s victory gives the team (9-2-1) its third Girls Eastern Mass Ice Hockey League title in the last four years.After a scoreless first period, the Lady Bulldogs took the lead in the second period on a goal by Chelsey Bartlett (Hannah Lopresti assist). Beverly’s Samantha Jones tied things up, but Ariana Dembro supplied the game-winner later in the period. Kara Donati had the assist and in the third period, she scored to give the Lady Bulldogs a bit of a cushion. Gretchen Howard picked up the win in net.St. Mary’s 5, Arlington Catholic 2At Ed Burns Arena, the St. Mary’s girls hockey team got five-point games from both Kaleigh Finnigan and Allison Butler en route to defeating No. 1 ranked and unbeaten Arlington Catholic. The Cougars were the only unbeaten team in the state heading into the game.”AC is a tremendous team and we really elevated our game,” St. Mary’s coach Frank Pagliuca said.The Spartans (11-3-0, 4-0-0 Catholic Central League) didn’t waste much time getting going as Finnigan scored at 4:09 of the first, assisted by Butler and Tatiana Doucette. Butler made it 2-0 after one following a slick feed from Brittani Lanzilli.The lead pushed to 3-0 right off the bat in the second as Finnigan’s shot bounced off a defender and in at the 21-second mark.”We got up 3-0 and then stopped playing,” Pagliuca said. “Fortunately, Lauren Skinnion made some big saves for us.”The Cougars (14-1-1, 3-1) got a goal at the buzzer in the second from Melissa Richards and then a shorthanded goal by Adriana Rossini early in the third to suddenly make it 3-2.But Finnigan restored order on the power play seconds later and Butler capped the scoring, assisted by Finnigan, with 3:45 left.Peabody 10, Bishop Fenwick 2At McVann-O’Keefe, the Tanners scored four goals in the first period and six in the second to put the game out of reach early. Lauren White and Courtney Smith each had a hat trick with Becky Holmes, Cassandra Miles, Waverly Cohen and Kristen Hennessey rounding out the rest of the attack. Rachel Steriti and Meghan McGunigle accounted for the Fenwick goals with Alex Zizza, Sydney Hunt, Emily Galligan and Hannah Dragonas all picking up assists.BOYS HOCKEYDanvers 6, Lynn 1At Rockett Arena in Salem, the Falcons (11-2-0, 9-1-0 NEC North) got two goals apiece from Joe Strangie and Jay Calcagno with Kevin Hodgkins and Mike Discullo having two assists.The Jets (5-7-1, 3-7-0 NEC South) got a John Finnigan goal off a Brett Erelli assist with one second left in the middle period.Lynnfield 4, Masco 1At Valley Forum in Haverhill, John Festa, Greg Meiniger and Dylan Costa each had a goal and an assist as the Pioneers (11-2-1, 7-2-1 Cape Ann League) stayed hot.Festa and Meiniger scored in the first with Alex Ganter and Costa adding goals in the second and third periods. Nick Aleckna spoiled the shutout bid of Joe Bassi with 1:28 left in the game.Peabody 5, Salem 1At Rockett Arena in Salem, Mike Chiappini had a pair of goals and Eric Costa dished out three assists as the Tanners (6-6-1, 4-4-1 NEC North) kept tournament hopes going.It was a 0-0 game after one with Chiappini scoring twice in the second before Ryan Carney scored with one second left. Matt McIsaac and J.T. Eason added third period tallies for Peabody.Winthrop 2, Swampscott 0At Larsen Arena in Winthrop, the Big Blue (6-7-3, 3-4-2 NEC South) put up one of their better efforts of the season but Chris LeBlanc’s two third period tallies were enough to push the Vikings (8-4-2, 7-1-2 NEC North) to the win.”I was very happy with our effort,” Swampscott coach Gino Faia said.Beverly 5, Revere 1At Cronin Rink in Revere, Connor Irving remained red hot as he netted a hat trick to push the Panthers (8-5-1, 5-4-0 NE
