It’s not like the Triton hockey team is lacking confidence.
You have to remember, this is a unit that returned a large chunk of talent from the roster a year ago. Which, you probably recall, went on a pretty magical run to the Division 3 Semifinals as a “surprise” No. 10 seed, earning a couple of upsets along the way. So with that coveted time of the winter season returning to us once again next week — state tournament time — the Vikings know, and are ready, for what lies ahead.
But, if they needed it, they got a little extra swagger on Sunday.
With Norwell — the defending Division 4 State Champions — in town for the Newburyport Bank Classic tournament on Sunday, Triton had a great opportunity to add a confidence-boosting win heading into the “big” tournament next week. and the Vikings did just that, getting a goal in the final minute from Alex Pasquini to pick up a dramatic 3-2 victory, while advancing to the Fournier Division Championship on Tuesday (5 p.m. puck drop) in the process.
A junior, Pasquini tipped in the game-winning goal off a Jack Lindholm shot from the point. The Vikings (11-8-0) trailed 1-0 after the first period and 2-1 after two, but got Josh Hersey’s second goal of the game midway through the final frame before Pasquini came away with the heroics. Connor Rumph had two assists while Michael Taylor and Luke Sullivan also had helpers, and junior goalie Gavin Marengi put together another gem in net.
And the victory capped off a great weekend for Triton.
A day earlier on Saturday, the Vikings earned an exciting overtime victory over CAL foe North Reading, 4-3. It was once again — you guessed it — Pasquini coming away with the OT game-winner in that one, and Sullivan, Hersey and Taylor all had goals as well.
WILSON SENSATIONAL FOR NEWBURYPORT GIRLS
The Newburyport co-op girls team was sort of “on the bubble” heading into the final week of the regular season, but most definitely punched its ticket to the Division 2 tournament on Saturday.
Behind a monster 3-goal, 2-assist game from captain Olivia Wilson, the Clippers earned a nice, team win over visiting Marblehead, 7-1. Katie Brown added two goals and two assists, and both Maddie Noury and Lainey Pare also scored.
Newburyport (5-12-0) was at No. 29 in Friday’s ranking, but should be a playoff team with its latest win.