GLOUCESTER — Controlling large portions of any athletic event does not guarantee victory.
While it’s not common, it does transpire every so often — and when it does, the end result stings that much more.
The Marblehead boys hockey team was reminded of that Tuesday night at the Talbot Rink, where after dominating large stretches of play it surrendered two goals in the latter half of the third period, resulting in a 2-1 loss to Barrington, R.I. in the first round of the Cape Ann Savings Bank Tournament
So despite holding a sizeable edge in shots on goal (34-21) and puck possession, as well as getting some terrific stops by goaltender Leo Burdge, the Headers still remain winless (0-5) on the season heading into Wednesday’s consolation game at 6 p.m.
“It was our best game of the season start to finish. The effort was certainly there; just not the result,” said Marblehead coach Mark Marfione.
“We (coaches) really like this team; we’ve got a lot of good players who work really hard and do what we’re asking them to do. It’s a few bounces here or there and small breakdowns that have hurt us.”
Thanks to a pair of power play opportunities, Marblehead controlled the first half of the third period and had put eight shots on net without allowing one. But when the Rhode Islanders finally got their chance, they buried it.
First liners Trevor Snow and Adam Goman broke into the Headers’ zone 2-on-2, and both Marblehead players skated towards Snow skating down the left wing boards. He, in turn, slid a pass to a wide open Goman in the low slot for a one-timer that tied the score with 7:29 left in regulation.
Then, off a scramble in front of the Headers’ net, junior Trent Senn found himself open at the far post and whacked in the puck when it squirted over to him with just over three minutes to play.
“Leo’s been great for us; neither of those goals were his fault,” said Marfione.
Burdge had kept his team in the leading through two periods, particularly in the second period when the Eagles of Barrington (now 2-1) put nine shots on net. Three of those were earmarked for the back of the net, but Burdge denied Snow on a one-timer from inside the left circle after he had taken a drop pass and had a clear view of the cage. Burdge then flashed out his left pad to turn aside Henry Kelsey’s shorthanded breakaway bid, and before the period was over jammed his left skate against the goalpost to prevent a stuff-in attempt by Adam Gilman.
Marblehead had taken a 1-0 lead just four minutes in thanks to some great forechecking work by Kyle Hart. The junior winger caused a turnover to the left of goalie Dom Bruzzi, got the puck and fired a shot on net. That was stopped, but teammate Charlie Grenier was there to hammer home the rebound for his second goal of the season.
They applied much more pressure on the Eagles, but strong scoring bids by the likes of London McDonald, James Caeran, Hogan Sedky, Crew Monaco and Sean Dolan (who hit a post) were all kept out. Caeran’s last-second shorthanded bid with four seconds left was also turned aside.
“We got more traffic in front of the net, more shots, got to more rebounds … we’re continually getting better,” said Marfione. “Its frustrating to do al the right things but not get the result you want.”
Marblehead got excellent play from Miles Flynn, a senior playing varsity for the first time who has carved out a role for himself as the team’s third line left wing.
Barrington, R.I. 2, Marblehead 1
Cape Ann Savings Bank Tournament
at Talbot Rink, Gloucester
Marblehead 1 0 0 1
Barrington 0 0 2 2
Scoring summary
First period: M, Charlie Grenier (Kyle Hart), 3:58.
Second period: No scoring.
Third period: B, Adam Goman (Trevor Snow), 7:31; B, Trent Senn (Brock Carroll), 11:50.
Saves: M, Leo Burdge 19; B, Dom Bruzzi 33.
Records: M, 0-5-0; B, 3-1-0.
Contact Phil Stacey
@PhilStacey_SN