BEVERLY — A huge save late from senior captain Leo Burdge and another chapter in London McDonald’s torrid offensive start to the 2024-25 hockey campaign led to Marblehead’s fourth victory in as many tries to start of the season.
After Burdge stopped a penalty shot with 2:41 left in regulation of a tie game, McDonald won it for the Headers by scoring 43 seconds into the 4-on-4 overtime to give his team a 3-2 road victory over Northeastern Conference rival Danvers Monday at Bourque Arena.
McDonald, who has scored in all four Marblehead contests, notched his third game-winner of the young season by taking an up-ice pass from E.J. Wyman and breaking in along on Falcons netminder Cody Standring, beating him cleanly for the decisive marker.
“London’s taken his game to another level,” said Marblehead head coach Mark Marfione. “He’s a strong, physical winger along the boards, gets himself in good shooting position, he’s worked on his speed in the offseason, and his level of confidence this year is way up. Those things are all showing in his play.
“And Leo, there’s no one we’d rather have back there. Everyone is so confident in him.”
The Falcons (0-3), who have dropped three straight one-goal games (including two in OT) to start the season, had rallied from a two-goal first period deficit with scores in the second and third stanzas. When Seamus Cary was hauled down on a breakaway with under three minutes to play, the alternate captain was awarded a penalty shot.
Cary broke in on Burdge, faked right and went back to his forehand. But the Marblehead keeper, who finished with 22 saves, flashed out his right pad to deny the bid.
The loss was not for lack of effort, said head coach Bill Sheehan.
“We like what we’ve seen; it’s just not complete yet,” Sheehan said. “I knew it’d take some time, but we’re seeing definite progress. This team has a lot of character in the room and on the ice.
“Staying the course is our message to the team,” he added. “We’re playing hockey; the wins are going to come.”
Junior right wing Thomas Fish, senior left wing Evan Petroccione, and junior third line center Jason Luti were three Falcons who exemplified players stepping up into key roles and delivering strong performances, said Sheehan. So was Standring and his 24 saves.
The Falcons had tied the game at 2-2 four-and-half minutes into the third period thanks to a smart forechecking play by Cooper Dunham. After linemate Seamus Cary threw a shot on goal that was sticked aside, Dunham followed it up, picked up the rebound off the back boards and slid a backhand into the cage to knot things up.
Using their speed to attack in waves and with a relentless forecheck, the Headers controlled the majority of play in the first period and came out of it with a 2-0 lead.
A 2-on-1 break ignited by defenseman James Mackenzie sprung teammates Max King and Avin Rodovsky. King took the puck into the offensive zone, drew the defenseman towards him and zipped a pass over to Rodovsky, and the junior right wing ripped a shot home from the far circle at the 7:17 mark.
Two minutes later Marblehead doubled its lead on the power play. In the offensive zone, Noah Feingold gave a beautiful lead-in pass to Kyle Hart, and the senior captain broke in and easily converted a snapshot out front.
Making some needed tweaks to their forecheck and working to get the puck below the dots for the middle stanza, Danvers came out recharged and generated 12 shots on net while drawing three penalties. They also got on the scoreboard mere seconds after one of those man advantages had expired.
Captain Josh Henry pinched down low from his spot on defense and worked the puck over to Petroccione. The senior left wing quickly let loose a shot that beat Burdge, slicing his team’s deficit to 2-1. It was only the second goal the Headers had allowed over their first 11 period of hockey this season.
“They thrive when you take a little bit off the gas,” admitted Marfione. “Danvers always seems to get that momentum when they need it, and they’re hard working and resilient. If you let them back in a game, they’ll capitalize. They know how to stick around.”
Marblehead 3, Danvers 2 (OT)
at Bourque Arena, Beverly Marblehead 2 0 0 1 3
Danvers 0 1 1 0 2
First: M, Avin Rodovsky (Max King, James Mackenzie), 7:17; M, Kyle Hart (Noah Feingold, Sean Dolan), ppg, 9:18.
Second: D, Evan Petroccione (Josh Henry, Cooper Dunham), 6:05.
Third: D, Dunham (Seamus Cary, Gaven Cooper), 4:36.
Overtime: M, London McDonald (E.J. Wyman, Dolan), :43.
Saves: M, Leo Burdge 22; D, Cody Standring 24.
Records: M, 4-0; D, 0-3.
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