MIDDLETON — There were things to learn about both themselves and their opponents in Saturday’s season opener for the Essex Tech and Newburyport High boys hockey teams.
For the host Hawks, playing their first game as a member of the Cape Ann League was both thrilling and educational. They got a first-hand look against one of the circuit’s top squads and the speed, physicality and talent they posses. But they also realized, after some initial hesitancy, that they could play with them.
The visiting Clippers learned that they can’t take any opponent for granted and that a full 45-minute effort is required for success while at the same time acknowledging that Essex Tech figures to be a player in the CAL.
A poor pass in the neutral zone led to a shorthanded goal by Newburyport’s Caden Eiserman with six minutes to play, and that was the difference as Newburyport shaded the Hawks, 2-1, at the Saturday at the Essex Sports Center.
“I give Essex Tech a lot of credit,” veteran Newburyport head coach Paul Yameen said. “They probably weren’t expected to keep it this close, but they had a real chance to tie it or win it late. Coach (Mark) Leonard always has his teams prepared. We turned the puck over and didn’t skate as well as we normally do … but a lot of that was because of them.”
Essex Tech, which reached the Division 3 state quarterfinals a year ago, made the move as a school from the Commonwealth Athletic Conference for the more competitive CAL for the 2023-24 school year
“There was a lot of pressure in this one,” acknowledged Leonard. “A lot of people were looking at us to see how we’d do against one of the top teams around year in and year out. Our guys were nervous and we gave them a little bit too much credit early on, but as the game wore on we got our legs and not only played with them, but outplayed them at times.”
Seeing his first significant playing time in two years, senior goalie Garrett White had a great game for Essex Tech, making 29 saves. He earned his team’s ‘Hard Hat’ as its player of the game. Newburyport senior Damian Lamb also had some terrific stops in a 23-save performance.
Essex Tech had tied the game on Teddy Tsoutsouris’ goal with just under nine minutes remaining. Off a strong forecheck, the sophomore center from Danvers tipped a shot out front that trickled between the pads of Lamb. Fellow third liner Dom Tiberii and defenseman Cam Casey earned the assists.
“Great work to get that goal,” said Leonard. “It all started with the forecheck.”
The hosts then went on their only power play of the afternoon two minutes later, but Eiserman pounced on the miscue just over center ice, skated in alone and ripped a shot past White.
“I think he’s realizing how good he can be,” Yameen said of Eiserman, the twin brother of expected NHL 2024 first round draft pick Cole Eiserman, a left wing for the US National Team Development Program’s Junior team in the USHL. “The light’s going on and Caden is really improved.”
There was no score for almost two full periods before the Clippers scored with 52 seconds to go before the second intermission. Stationed far post, left wing Jackson DeVivo tipped a pass that came out of the right corner past White for the goal; assists were credited to linemates Colby Arel and Tristan Joyce.
Freshman Graham Luskin, who started on defense for Newburyport, was noticeable for his ability to move the puck, make smart passes, and win battles along the boards and in front of his net.
Essex Tech got strong play from the second line of senior Chris Maher and juniors Brady Leonard and Jaydan Vargas, who generated some fine scoring chances. Andrew McKenna, another junior, played well on the blue line.