Role reversal: In final two minutes, Big Blue turn deficit into North championship

STONEHAM – Swampscott has accomplished so much during this postseason. Why stop now?After another improbable victory, this time a 3-2 decision against Bedford to win the Division 3 North title, Swampscott will play in the state semifinals against the winner of today’s South final between 10-7-5 Pembroke and 15-2-3 Medway. The game is listed on the MIAA website to be played tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. at Harvard University, although it could be moved back a day.The Big Blue (now 18-5) broke a 44-year playoff hex to start its run, then repaid a five-year-old debt to rival Marblehead, scoring three goals in the final two minutes to come back and eliminate the Headers.But everything threatened to become undone last Saturday. Bedford – the ninth seed this year after a sectional final appearance last year – capped a solid three-minute stretch of offense with Anthony Lespasio’s 21st goal of the season off an odd-man rush with 7:19 left in the game to take the lead.Four minutes later, the Buccaneers busted out on a 3-on-1 break looking to salt away the win. Senior forward Robert Serino, who rotated back to cover a defensive rush, wouldn’t have it. Selling out, Serino sprawled on the ice and blocked the centering pass, starting a Swampscott break in the process. And when Chris Carman turned that break into a tying goal with 2:13 remaining, momentum had swung.”(Defenseman) Trevor (Massey) is a great offensive player, an MVP, and it’s my job to rotate back when he pushes the puck,” explained Serino. “I was just hoping I could lay out and stop the pass, and I’m glad I did. I didn’t expect it to start a break.””We refer to Robert as our warrior,” said Big Blue head coach Gino Faia. “He battles, throws his body all over the place, he never quits. He battles 110 percent.”The wave of emotion put Swampscott in charge. Bedford didn’t get another shot on net while Chris Dandreo and Massey tested senior netminder Abe Grainger (27 saves). Overtime was looming as Massey (goal and two assists) sent a shot in from the right boards. Grainger made the stop but junior Nunzio Morretti shoveled in the rebound with only 6.2 seconds left to complete the amazing comeback.”That’s why I broke down at center ice,” an emotional Morretti said. “I dreamed of this literally for as long as I’ve been playing hockey. Scoring in a championship game is ridiculous.”When we went down, we knew we weren’t losing this game,” Morretti said. “I mean, just like the Marblehead game ? that’s been pretty much our whole season, fighting back and winning.””It is a blur, but, like we say, we save our best for last,” said Faia. “Obviously we would have been disappointed if we didn’t get the North championship. I felt we’re playing good hockey and this was our next goal.”I’m so happy for the kids and for the program. This has never happened before and there’s a big buzz around the school and the town. Interest is back in the program and these guys hopefully will keep it going.”