SALEM — The Northeastern Conference showcased the NEC boys hockey all-stars at its annual Skills Competition and All-Star game Saturday at Salem State University’s Richard H. Rockett Arena.
The game featured an offensive explosion of firepower from the opening puck drop with the White All-Stars skating to a 12-6 win over the Dark squad.
NEC Co-Player of the Year, Conor Donovan of Swampscott, had two goals and three assists, while teammate Will Shull, an NEC All-Conference selection, had a goal and three assists. Marblehead’s Zach Piersol notched a hat trick and dished one assist while fellow Header Colin Hart had four assists.
“Overall, it was a great day for the kids as they really enjoyed playing together,” said White/Marblehead coach Chris Wells, the NEC Coach of the Year.
While all-star games are usually just for show, this game was much more meaningful for Lynn junior Matt Devin, who suited up for the White squad.
Devin led the Jets this year in scoring with 24 goals and 10 assists, but it wasn’t enough to lead the Jets into the winners’ circle, which finished the season 0-20.
Saturday, Devin got the win he had been waiting for, notching one assist in the process.
“That was my first game won this year, so it felt really good to finally get one,” said Devin, “I am confident we will be improved next year. All I know is it was great to play with all these good players and finally be able to know what it’s like to come out on top.”
Marblehead’s Loch Sheridan (two goals) got the party started 10 seconds in to set the tone for the afternoon. Shull picked up an assist.
A minute later, Swampscott’s Liam Locke (goal, assist) doubled the lead to 2-0 with Donovan assisting.
Dark cut the deficit to 2-1 a minute later on a goal by Danvers’ Brett Baldassare (from teammate and NEC All-Conference all-star Cal Mansfield).
That, however, was as close as Dark came the rest of the game. The period ended on a high note for Dark on Beverly’s NEC All-Conference honoree Andrew Mezza’s buzzer-beater to send the teams into the break with White leading, 8-3.
“We were just trying to have some fun and team the kids up with their actual linemates so they could show off their skills,” said Wells at the half. “We’ll mix up the lines in the second half and see what that brings.”
Dark came out energized to start the second (and final) period, forcing White goalie and NEC All-Conference selection Peter Santeusanio of Marblehead to make a couple of big saves in the first minute. After that White didn’t skip a beat. Shull (from Hart) made it 9-3 three minutes in. The teams traded goals the rest of the period.
This year’s game had a couple of new twists. The format was four-on-four with two periods of 20-minute running time.
In the final minute of the game, both teams emptied the benches to the tune of the Benny Hill Show theme music.
“At the end, the Danvers coach (Steve Baldassare) told all of us to jump on the ice and that was a great way to end the game,” said Peabody’s Andrew Phillips, who played on Dark and won the Fastest Skater challenge.
Phillips’ teammate Andrew Souza, who won the Shootout event, agreed.
“Our strategy in the shootout was to make it fun for the fans so we all decided to go at it one-handed, and I just ended up making good on my shots,” said Souza. “Getting the chance to play with so many guys who we’ve played against was pretty special.”
The White team had contributions from NEC All-Conference Drew Olivieri of Swampscott (goal, assist); Swampscott’s Chris Barnes (assist); Gloucester’s E.J. Field (goal) and NEC All-Conference honoree Jack Costanzo of Gloucester (goal).
Notching points for the Dark team were Saugus’ Lorenzo Keegan (goal); Winthrop’s Mike Brooks (two assists) and Joe Holgersen (goal, two assists); Peabody’s James Guiry (goal, assist) and Beverly’s Owen Desmond (goal).
NEC Co-Player-of-the-Year Connor Vittands of Gloucester won the Goalie Fastest Skater event, while Danvers’ Mike Papamechail won the Stickhandling event.
