HAVERHILL – Heading into Tuesday night’s first round game of the annual Haverhill Christmas Tournament against Pentucket Regional — who they just defeated (4-2) three nights earlier in a non-league game — Joe Roberts and his coaching staff had some doubts of whether or not the Hillies’ players were prepared for the game or still stuck in Christmas mode.
Those gut feelings were correct as Pentucket scored a goal just 40 seconds into the game. But instead of hitting the panic button, or calling an unnecessary timeout to try to spark up the team with a yelling tirade, Roberts just watched as his team responded with a goal 22 seconds later, before adding two more in the second and an empty-netter in the final minute of the third to skate away with yet another 4-2 victory.
The win puts Haverhill (2-2) into Thursday night’s championship game of the Palm Division against Salem, N.H., beginning at 7 pm. Last year, the Hillies defeated Pentucket (0-3) and then Sanborn Regional to come away with the tournament title.
“We watched them in the locker room and knew they weren’t ready,” said Roberts. “We watched them in warm-ups and knew that they weren’t ready. (Pentucket) scored that goal and it didn’t bother us. We bounced right back, showed some resiliency and started to play our game.”
Nick Terilli tied the game up at 1-1 as he put a low shot from the low slot area to the back of the net with an assist going to Nolan Sheehan.
The score remained tied – although Haverhill completely carried play – until late in the second when Jack Baker scored two goals in a 17-second span to break it open. His first goal initiated off a strong break-out from a face-off in its own end, which quickly turned into a 2-on-1 break with Zach Hurrell sliding the puck over to Baker, who drove it home to the far right corner. Jake Costa also picked up an assist.
Baker then put home a loose puck in front for what turned out to be the game winner with a helper going to Costa.
“We saw something (in the three of them) during the pre-season and then we saw something in them once the season started,” said Roberts. “They took a game off and lost their chemistry, but tonight they got it back, and worked extremely well together because they passed the puck so well.”
Neither team had a power play chance through the first and second periods, but the third period saw seven penalties. Haverhill was called too many men on the ice infraction coming with 3:58 to go, and the Sachems took advantage with Charles Quinlin putting home a rebound off an initial shot from Max Cole, making it 3-2.
Pentucket was called for a penalty with 2:17 to go and ended up pulling its goalie with 1:29 remaining to get back to a 5-on-5 situation, but 12 seconds later, Costa iced the game with an empty-netter to send the team back to the championship final.
“We talked to the kids about this and how they have a chance to go out and win this championship title, which is always special to do. I’m not the rah-rah, go get ‘em kind of motivating coach. I rely more on the players to do that stuff. Tonight we weren’t ready to play early on but the second and third periods we played much better.”
A big reason why the Hillies played much better in the second and third periods was the play of goalie Max Boyer, who turned away 25 of 27 shots.
“He had an excellent game,” said Roberts. “He’s come along way just since the start of this season. He came to pre-season a little complacent. He’s our only goalie, so sometimes when you don’t have anyone competing against you (for a starter’s spot), you can get complacent. We worked with him very hard in the pre-season and not only has he gotten better each game, but he’s getting better each and every day.”
In the second game, Salem trounced Sanborn, 8-0. Gavin Doughty led the way with three goals and three assists, while, Max Condon had a goal and four assists and Luke Barton had two goals and two assists. Cam Chase and Elliot Chisholm added single goals and Ben and Brody Chisholm each had an assist.
Goalie Brendan Davis made all nine saves to earn the shut out.
“Coming off (the holiday) break, we played a little sloppy in the beginning and then found our legs,” said Salem head coach Mark McGinn. “I liked the effort after that. We’re looking forward to playing a very good Haverhill team in the final.”
Twitter: @Jamie Pote
HAVERHILL 4, PENTUCKET 2First: P, Aaron Wirwicz (una), 0:20; H, Nick Terilli (Nolan Sheehan), 1:02.
Second: H, Jack Baker (Zach Hurrell and Jake Costa), 11:09; H, Baker (Costa), 11:26.
Third: P, Charles Quinlin (Max Cole), 12:19 (PP); H, Costa (en; una), 13:43.
Saves: P, Josh Yoon (26 shots, 23 saves); H Max Boyer (27 shots, 25 saves).
SALEM 8, SANBORN 0
First: Sal, Gavin Doughty (Luke Barton and Max Condon), 3:44; Sal, Condon (Doughty), 13:49; Sal, Barton (Doughty and Condon), 13:59.
Second: Sal, Cam Chase (Ben Chisholm), 5:19; Sal, Barton (Doughty), 5:30; Sal, Doughty (Condon and Barton), 9:21.
Third: Sal, Doughty (Condon), 0:54; Sal, Elliot Chisholm (Brody Chisholm), 5:53.