STONEHAM — The never-say-it’s-over Lynn Jets got a three-goal night from Brian Clougherty and standout goaltending from Jack Gallant in a 3-2 overtime win over Shawsheen.
Clougherty, junior, the younger of the two brothers skating for the Jets thisi season, scored 30 seconds into overtime to send the Lynn crowd into a frenzy. His senior brother Mike, along with Quinn Brinkler set up the winning score.
The win puts the Jets (13-5-4) in the Division 3 North semifinals for the first time ever. They will play the winner of Sunday’s Swampscott-Lowell game Thursday, time and place to be announced.
Coming into the season, the Jets did not have a goalie, standout netminder Jack Stafford having graduated. Jack Gallant stepped up during pre-season practices.
Also, coach Mike Roberts said before the season started that with a talented group of forwards returning, the Jets would switch gears and become more aggressive in the other team’s end.
So far, that has worked.
Clougherty’s first goal, from John DiFilippo came with just 1.8 seconds left in the first period and tied the game 1-1.
The junior winger’s second goal tied it at 2-2 with 3:42 left in the third period forcing overtime. Clougherty’s brother Mike set up the second goal.
Brian Clougherty said it was a team effort that got the job done Sunday night.
“The whole team played great, we never gave up, really it’s all about this team, and you can’t say enough about Jack (Gallant) in net,” Clougherty said. “We played Shawsheen earlier this season and we lost, but we’re a much different team now.”
Gallant said he was just happy his guys popped one in in overtime.
“This is my first year in net, so I’m still learning and working to get better,” Gallant said. “Even when Shawsheen scored I knew my guys would pick me up, and the certainly did that.”
Roberts, in his first year, said his team never got down, and kept plugging away until the goals came.
“We’ve been on the wrong end of some games like this, so I feel for Shawsheen,” Roberts said. “We stuck with it and kept working, Brian’s goal with one second left in the first was big.”
“I don’t think many people picked us to win, but we got a great effort from everybody and we are on to the semi’s,” the coach added.
Matt Irwin and Jack Duggan scored for the Rams, who finish 13-8-0.
