Beverly blasts its way past Tewksbury; reaches D2 state title game

LOWELL – Instead of games getting harder and harder the deeper it advances, the Beverly boys hockey team is making things look easier and easier in its run through the Division 2 North State Tournament.The No. 1 Panthers surrendered the opening goal to Tewksbury in Monday evening?s sectional final before ripping off night straight tallies, five of which came in a one-sided second period, in a 9-1 win.After a 2-1 shootout victory over Danvers in the quarterfinals, the Panthers cruised past Lincoln-Sudbury, 5-1, in the semifinals to set up a title tilt with the No. 3 Redmen.?No, not in the sectional finals,” said Beverly coach Bob Gilligan if the outcome was expected. “We stress working and forechecking hard and we set the tone and really wore them out in the second period.”They say a two-goal lead in hockey is the worst lead to have, so after taking a 3-1 lead at the end of the opening frame, the Panthers refused to sit back.Nick Albano (2 assists) got the scoring barrage started 5:54 in when his shot from the point glanced off a Tewksbury defenseman and into the top right corner. Just over two minutes later, Connor Irving (four goals, assist) tallied his second of the night on the power play after flying down the right side and beating goaltender Kyle Paquette (22 saves) high on the short side.After Matt Hamor finished off a play set up by Jake Straw and Graham Doherty at the 10:01 mark, Irving completed the hat trick 1:21 later, following a pass from Ryan Santo (5 assists) on the right wall.Irving would add a short-handed goal with 21 seconds left.?A 3-1 lead is a tough lead to keep,” explained Gilligan. “I told the guys they had to keep the pressure on and they went out and had a great period.”The Redmen?s lone tally came 8:07 into the opening period. Jack Cash skated onto a loose puck in the slot before burying his shot under the bar, past Tim Birarelli (19 saves).The lead wouldn?t last very long as Beverly grabbed the equalizer only 58 seconds later. Jack Morency?s shot from the left point ricocheted off the end-boards and right onto the tape of Straw, who finished at the right post.Then, 2:50 later, the Panthers took the lead on what proved to be the game-winning goal from Jesse Maclaughlin (2 assists), who fielded Irving?s pass from the left wing before beating Paquette from between the hash marks.Irving?s first tally of the night was a buzzer beater, as the senior broke in alone before some nifty moves led to a shot inside the left post with 3.5 ticks left on the clock.Gilligan would call off the dogs after J.J. Bachini (2 assists) tacked on the game?s final goal 1:38 into the final 15 minutes. Tewksbury would outshoot the victors 8-3 in the frame, but failed to beat Birarelli, or Bryce Mitchell (4 saves), who entered in relief with 10:00 to play.Beverly will play South champion Medfield in the State Championship on Sunday at TD Garden in Boston.