School Roundup: Saugus hockey plays role of spoiler perfectly

The Saugus boys? hockey team won?t be going to the playoffs this season but it certainly has taken to the role of spoiler.
The Sachems shut down a red-hot Lynnfield team Tuesday at Kasabuski Arena, but were staring at a scoreless tie in the final moments of the game. That?s when senior Nik Straticos buried his 13thgoal of the season with 1:47 left to break the deadlock before Pat Cross? empty-net goal sealed a 2-0 win over the streaking Pioneers.
?I am so proud of my guys for playing tough,” Saugus coach Jeff Natalucci said. “They?ve really responded the last couple of games.”
The teams had already faced each other on Dec. 29 in the Kasabuski Christmas Classic when the Sachems won a 6-5 shootout. On Tuesday, there were nine fewer goals, but no less excitement.
Neither team scored in the first 30 minutes but it wasn?t for lack of chances as goaltenders Dave Langone of Lynnfield and Saugus? Nick Sanderson thwarted all chances.
Early in the third, the Pioneers (6-7-3) got a power play and had a great chance to take the lead but Sanderson stuffed a 2-on-1 to keep the game scoreless.
Moments later, Saugus (4-11-1) went on a four-minute power play after a major penalty was called against Lynnfield. But the Pioneers were able to escape without any damage.
Then, with just under two minutes left, defenseman Mike Sarnichiarro chipped a harmless pass out to center ice. The puck got past a Pioneer defenseman, springing Straticos for a breakaway which he buried, giving Saugus the lead, 1-0.
?Nic is finishing his career the right way,” Natalucci said.
Lynnfield pulled the goalie for an extra skater in the final minute but it was the Sachems who struck as Cross got a freebie when a Pioneer player threw his stick at the puck in the final seconds trying to prevent a goal.
After the game, Natalucci had rave reviews for the effort his team gave.
?When we play together as a team, we can play with anybody,” he said. “It?s when we get selfish that we end up in trouble. We?ve done that too much this year.
?We are playing for pride now and they?re playing hard. That?s good to see.”
Saugus? run through playoff-bound teams isn?t done yet as they will host Marblehead on Thursday at 6:15 p.m. and North Reading on Friday at 7:10 p.m.
The Pioneers, who need to pick up five points in their final five games to make the playoffs, are at Amesbury on Thursday at 7:50 p.m. before their annual trip to the Fairleigh Dickinson Tournament on Martha?s Vineyard this weekend.
BOYS? HOCKEY
St. John?s 6, Danvers 2
The annual battle between the crosstown rivals went the way of the Eagles as St. John?s scored twice in each period.
Teddy McNamara, Scott Newton, Billy Falter, Danny Tighe and Cam Shaheen each had a goal for St. John?s.
BOYS? BASKETBALL
St. John?s Prep 61, Malden Catholic 59 (OT)
The Eagles were down 12 in the fourth quarter but rallied all the way back for a thrilling two-point win over Malden Catholic. Ben Judson and Alec Buresh led the comeback for St. John?s, with each hitting big shots down the stretch. St. John?s is now 13-4.
The Eagles jumped out to an early lead and played some great defense in the first half, but they struggled to score throughout the game. Malden Catholic was able to take the lead into halftime.
St. John?s locked it down on defense in the fourth quarter and Buresh hit a big three-pointer to bring the game to overtime. Buresh went on to hit another big three in the overtime to help with the win. Judson finished with 20 points and played a great defensive game throughout.?Our defensive effort is what got us this win,” Eagles? coach John Dullea said.