Hockey: Spartan boys skate past Matignon, 3-1

Little has come easily for the St. Mary’s boys hockey team this winter. However, anchored by sophomore goalie Ryan Borders, the Spartans turned back Matignon Saturday at Connery Rink, 3-1.”Ryan made some tremendous saves – we thought he played a great game,” said coach Mark Lee.Borders repelled 13 shots, becoming the third sophomore to see time in the St. Mary’s goal this winter.St. Mary’s (4-3-0, 4-6-2) packed its scoring into a span of one minute and 52 seconds of the second period. Sophomore John Powers (at 9:27 and 11:19) sandwiched two goals around a tally from freshman Connor Foley for a 3-0 lead. Junior Alex Ganter had a pair of assists.St. Mary’s held a 27-14 edge in shots. The Spartans, who have had trouble scoring this season, hit three posts.”We played a lot better than the score showed. Any time you can get a win, it’s always positive. We have a real rough road ahead with some real challenging teams. (It’s) what we signed up for,” said Lee.”This has been the most challenging year in recent history for us, with a lot of young kids playing the first time for varsity. They’re getting some great experience. This year it’s all about wanting to be a better team the next time we play,” he added.The Spartans take on Catholic Central Large leader Austin Prep this afternoon at Stoneham Arena (1 p.m.).Marblehead 7, Peabody 2At Salem State, NEC South leader Marblehead (4-0-0, 9-2-0) was in control from the outset, amassing a 43-19 edge in shots. Tom Koopman scored a pair of goals and assisted on one from Ian Maag as the Magicians opened a 3-0 lead after one period.Trip Franzese’s team-leading 13th goal of the year stretched the margin to 4-0 in the second period before senior Erik Hennessey put the Tanners (0-3-2, 2-6-2) on the board.Freshman Tim Kalinowski’s first varsity goal highlighted a three-goal third period for Marblehead. Aaron DeAngelo and Dean Fader also scored. Reed Foster added Peabody’s second goal.St. John’s Prep 5, Austin Prep 1At Stoneham Arena, the Eagles (3-1-0, 9-2-0) handed Catholic Central Large co-leader Austin Prep (3-0-2, 6-1-3) its first loss of the season behind a pair of goals from Justin Longo.Evan LeClerc, Tyler Bird and Jack McCarthy also scored for the Eagles, who built a 3-0 lead and finished with a 30-10 edge in shots. Senior goalie Billy Price had nine saves for the win.Winthrop 5, Lynn 4At Larsen Rink, the host Vikings (1-1-3, 4-2-4) beat the clock twice to turn back the Jets (3-2-0, 6-4-0) in NEC crossover action.Pat Todisco’s goal with two seconds left in the second period pulled Winthrop to within a goal, 3-2, triggering a string of three unanswered goals. After the Jets tied it, 4-4, on Ryan MacDonald’s tally with five minutes to play, Winthrop’s Chris Page netted his second of the game and the game-winner with 34 seconds left.Lynn had opened a 3-1 lead on goals from Mark Brazell, Kyle Devin and Steve Petkevich. Pierce Lamerton and Jake McKinnon also scored for Winthrop.”It was a tough loss. We need to do a better job of finishing periods. I still think we are bringing a solid effort and there were some positives we can take from this game as we move forward,” said Jets coach Joe Conlon.Saugus 6, Revere 4At Kasabuski Rink, the Sachems (1-3-1, 2-7-1) snapped a four-game winless slide behind a hat trick from Anthony Cieri.Gloucester 6, Revere 1At Talbot Rink, the surging Fishermen (1-3-1, 4-5-1) won their third straight and fourth in five games heading into tonight’s game with Division Two heavyweight Newburyport.GIRLS HOCKEYSt. Mary’s 2, Archbishop Williams 1At Zapustas Arena, the Catholic Central League-leading Spartans (3-0-0, 7-2-1) needed a pair of late third-period goals to repel the upset-minded Bishops (0-3-0, 9-3-0).Gabby Crugnale converted an Alison Butler setup with 6:10 left in the game to tie it, 1-1. Butler then won it with 57 seconds to play, assisted by Tatiana Doucette. Lauren Skinnion anchored the win with 17 saves, yielding only a goal by Archies’ Kerri Beamis in the gam