Peabody, Melrose win Kasabuski Classic

SAUGUS – Depending on how the rest of the season plays out, the Peabody hockey team may look at the two days of the Kasabuski Christmas Classic as the time when it forged its identity.The Tanners followed up Thursday’s shutout Bishop Fenwick with a 5-2 decision over Wakefield in the National Division championship game Friday afternoon. Held to just three goals in three NEC North losses, the Tanners (2-3-0 overall), put 11 on the board against two Division 1 opponents.”It’s about time. We thought we’d played better than 0-3. Give the kids a lot of credit. Three days ago we had no confidence; this is closer to the team we thought we could be. As you can hear, they’re pretty happy in there,” said Peabody coach Mark Leonard just outside the Tanners’ raucous locker room.This was no fluke. The Tanners held a 29-19 edge in shots, used their speed to their advantage, and engaged physically when needed. A dominant second period produced four goals and sent Peabody on its way.Defenseman Donny Shaw’s slap shot from the left circle gave Peabody a 1-0 lead at 43 seconds of the second period. Wakefield’s Tyler Gibbons matched that with a power play goal less than a minute later, but Peabody sophomore Owen Brewster converted a slick dish from freshman Chris Gillen 18 seconds later to give the Tanners the lead for good, 2-1.The lead grew to 3-1 with 3:07 left in the period when Matt Pino drove the net for a close-range finish against Warriors’ goalie Ben Yandell (24 saves). Then, after Yandell’s bang-bang stops against Andrew Bisconti and Ryan Carney, Bobby Caproni chipped a rebound home for a 4-1 lead with 14 seconds left in the period.”I thought we took over in the second period. We were using our speed and moving the puck deep and that’s when we’re most effective. I thought the second line (Bisconti, Carney, Caproni) really utilized their speed,” Leonard said.Sophomore defenseman Aaron Dollin initiated the sequence that produced the Tanners’ final goal as his shot up from the left point kicked to Mike Vadala for a weak-side deposit at 3:19 of the third period.Sophomore goalie Freddy Robitaille finished with 17 saves, including nine in the third period, before giving way to freshman Aaron McDonnell in the final minutes. Wakefield got a late goal from Anthony Funicella to account for the final.AMERICAN DIVISIONMelrose 3, Danvers 2The Falcons (2-4-0) were within seconds of securing what would have been a tie with the unbeaten Raiders (4-0-1) under MIAA Tournament guidelines but surrendered a power play goal by Melrose’s Eric Mercer at 14:56 of the final period.On the play, Danvers goalie Alex Taylor (19 saves) denied Jon Botelho on a 2-on-1 break but Mercer chopped at the spinning puck that ticked the post and rolled across the goal line.”It’s a tough one to lose but I told the guys we have to take away the positives. They (Melrose) gave us their best shot in the second period but we came back hard in the third. It was a good, physical game. We’re young and we’re learning – it’s a process,” said Falcons’ coach Kevin Brown.Steve Ganley gave Danvers a 1-0 lead at 11:23 of the first period as his shot from right point changed direction and eluded Melrose keeper Joe Taglieri to the short side.Melrose forged ahead on late second-period strikes by Mike DiRaffaele (at 10:47) and Jack Hickey (at 14:17) for a 2-1 lead. The Falcons drew even at 4:26 of the third period on Ganley’s second of the game on the power play.”It’s a win but I thought Danvers played a fantastic game and probably deserved a better fate. We got a fortuitous bounce at the end,” said Melrose coach Vin Mirasolo.CONSOLATION GAMESWinthrop 5, Lynnfield 0In the American Division, the Vikings (3-3-0) got a four-point game out of John Orlando (2 goals, 2 assists) along with a goal and two assists from Pat Todisco. Steve Goddard and Charlie Page also scored while Tom DeBennedetto notched the shutout with 12 saves. Lynnfield fell to 0-3-1.Fenwick 3, Saugus 0In the National Division, the Cru