WINTHROP — The Winthrop boys hockey team got off to a fast start and never looked back Thursday afternoon, knocking off Northeastern Conference foe Saugus, 4-1, at Larsen Arena. The Vikings scored three goals in the first period and rode that momentum all the way to victory.
Senior Connor Hurley led the way for Winthrop with two goals and one assist, while senior Joey Holgersen scored two goals. Seniors Chris Ferrara and Charlie Lane each had one assist, while senior goalie Ryan Hovermale made 11 saves.
For Saugus, junior Jason Caron scored the lone goal. Senior goalie Nick DiVola made 31 saves in the losing effort.
Winthrop came out hot to start the first period, finding the back of the net just three minutes into the game when Hurley took a pass from Ferrara, darted into the offensive zone and buried a wrist shot. The Vikings added to that lead five minutes later on a goal from Holgersen, then Hurley netted his second of the game with 45 seconds left in the period to take a 3-0 lead into the first intermission.
The second period was largely uneventful except for Holgersen’s second goal of the afternoon, which gave Winthrop a 4-0 lead going into the final frame.
The Sachems came out and played their strongest period in the third, but it was too little, too late. After killing off two penalties (including a 5-on-3 stretch) in the early minutes of the period, Saugus finally cashed in on an opportunity. With just under 12 minutes to go and still on the penalty kill, Caron made a great play to knock a puck loose at his own blue line and get around the defender to set up a breakaway. He dashed into the zone all alone, made a quick move to his right and slipped a shot between Hovermale’s legs to put the Sachems on the board. Saugus continued to push the pace for the rest of the period, even earning a powerplay opportunity, but the Sachems didn’t have enough time or firepower to mount a comeback.
Saugus (3-5-1) will host Peabody Saturday night (7) at Kasabuski Arena.
Winthrop (7-2-1) takes on Masconomet Saturday afternoon (12:40) back at Larsen Arena.
