By Chris Paul
The Londonderry High School Varsity Hockey Team was able to achieve a wide-margin win behind an opposite outcome in the team’s previous game against rival Pinkerton Academy.
The Lancers started the week with a rather disappointing 2-8 result against the Astros, at home, on Wednesday, Jan. 11, but then quickly turned things around when they beat Nashua North-Souhegan by a score of 7-2 in Nashua on Saturday, Jan. 14.
In the contest between division rivals, at the Tri-Town Arena in Hooksett, Pinkerton got ahead early and never relinquished their lead.
Astros Kyle Smith and Jack Doherty put their team up 2-0 by the end of the first period, with Londonderry finishing the period on a brief power-play with 13-seconds left in first. The man advantage nearly led to a goal to end the first when junior defenseman, Brandon Morin, had his slap-shot blocked just before the buzzer sounded.
The second period began with LHS maintaining a man-advantage due to a number of PA penalties, but they were unable to capitalize against the tough Astros defense and the PA senior goalie, Damien Carter.
After Pinkerton went up 3-0 at 3:12 in the second, Londonderry was finally able to get on the board when junior forward, Matt Boyon, scored on another powerplay, with an assist from junior Jayden Hamilton, with just four seconds left in the period.
In the third, PA scored two more times to start the period before Londonderry was able to capitalize on another power-play mid-way through the final period. Brandon Morin scored the Lancers second goal with the assist going to Matt Boyon at 8:43 for the 5-2 score.
The Astros tacked on three more goals to end the game 8-2.
Londonderry had 27 shots stopped by the PA tender in the game.
Three days later, at the Conway Arena in Nashua, the result was much better for the Lancers, outscoring Nashua North-Souhegan 7-2 for the team’s third victory of the season.
This week, the Lancers are scheduled to face the Salem Blue Devils (4-2), on the road, Wednesday, Jan 18, at 7:20 p.m. at the IceCenter in Salem where they will attempt to avenge an early season 2-0 loss.
The team will then face the Trinity High School Pioneers (3-3) on the road on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 12:40 p.m.