PEABODY — Leading 4-3 with less than one minute remaining, and looking at an empty net, PLNR’s Penny Spack shot the puck from the defensive zone and watched it slide into Bishop Fenwick’s net for the hat trick.
“I was definitely trying to get it out, but at the same time, I was looking for the net,” Spack said. “It feels great – I’m so excited.”
That’s what Spack said after her hat trick lifted the PLNR girls hockey team over Fenwick 5-3 on Wednesday evening at McVann-O’Keefe Rink.
Despite the individual accomplishment, the senior credited her teammates and said she loved the “feel of a team.” Her first two goals were in the opening period – the first on a rebound off a Jenna DiNapoli shot, and the other from Hannah Gromko where she pivoted her body before firing one in from the deep slot.
“Everybody looked really good today,” Spack said. “As soon as those goals went in, I looked for my teammates.”
PLNR head coach Michelle Roach said she’s “speechless” with the way Spack has been playing, and admires her “calm” and “poised” playstyle.
“She’s been an anchor for us,” Roach said. “She gets what she wants.”
Heading into the third period tied 2-2, PLNR struck 22 seconds into the period with sophomore Ava Buckley firing a shot from the bumper that rolled past the goal line. And with 10:29 remaining, it was 4-2. Gromko got the puck in the crease and roofed it for good measure into an open net.
Gromko’s goal was on the power play – one of two PLNR goals with the player-advantage.
“That’s [the power play] one of the biggest things,” Roach said. “I was really happy with that. I thought the puck movement was good and they were finding the lanes.”
Fenwick never quit. Katherine Roddy scored off a face off to cut the PLNR lead to 4-3 with 7:51 remaining. Unfortunately for the Crusaders, time expired on them and Spack’s empty-netter sealed the deal.
Regardless of the final score, Fenwick head coach John Kasle said he was pleased with how his team played with a “don’t quit” mindset.
“All year, the girls play a full game – right down to the third period,” Kasle said. “Overall, [I’m] happy with the effort.”
Zoe Elwell and Abi Bruner were the other Fenwick goal-scorers. Elwell scored in the first period on a short-side snipe, and Bruner with three seconds remaining in the second period to tie the game.
“She [Elwell] can shoot the puck really well,” Kasle said. “She took advantage of the ice.”
After the game, Kasle and Roach each praised the other’s coaching. Fenwick returns to action Saturday at Malden Catholic with puck-drop set for 12:10 p.m., while PLNR travels to Medford on the same day for a 2 p.m. matchup.
“I think this was a great building block,” Roach said. “We’ve got to decide what kind of team we are.”
