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No. 13 Methuen trailed by just a goal after one period, but could get no closer and fell to No. 4 Newburyport 7-1 in the Division 2 North first round. 

"We had quite a few oppertunities but just couldn't bang it home," said Rangers coach Denny Egan. "We had two breakaways in the third by came away with nothing. And we had a few lapses on defense"

John Galvin netted a hat trick and Alex Connolly scored twice as Pentucket closed out the season with a 6-2 drubbing of Amesbury. 

Alex Emery tied the game with 6:27 left and Brad McGovern netted the game-winner with just 32 seconds to play as Haverhill took a dramatic 3-2 decision over Triton in the Newburyport Bank Classic.

Pentucket spotted Nashoba a couple of power play goals before turning its game around, shutting its opponent out and dashing to a 6-2 matinee victory. Josh Silva's score with less than a minute remaining in the second period gave the Sachems the lead and all the momentum needed to win. Ryan McCarthy opened the scoring with his first varsity goal and Alex Connolly excelled all day at center of the second line, stepping up for teammates felled by illness.

Pentucket spotted Nashoba a couple of power play goals before turning its game around, shutting its opponent out and dashing to a 6-2 matinee victory. Josh Silva's score with less than a minute remaining in the second period gave the Sachems the lead and all the momentum needed to win. Ryan McCarthy opened the scoring with his first varsity goal and Alex Connolly excelled all day at center of the second line, stepping up for teammates felled by illness.

North Andover blitzed Pentucket 6-2 to clinch a state tourney berth. Jack Hyman had two goals and Christian Kalil backed him with a goal and two assists. Andrew Mueskes (45 saves) was busy in defeat.

Pentucket scored three goals in the third period to whip Triton 5-2. Tim Cosgrove scored twice and Mac Cavanaugh had a pair and two assists for the Sachems.

Senior Jack Hyman scored two goals and eighth grader Tyler Sifferlen added two more scores as North Andover topped Pentucket 8-4.

Starting out strong and playing to its strengths, Methuen easily prevailed over Pentucket, 6-0.

"We're not trying to match up lines," Ranger head coach Denny Egan said. "We play everybody against everybody. If we come to play, we should be able to take care of business."

It was an emotional night for the Pentucket hockey family, who honored teammate Matt McCarthy, who collapsed and died on Dec, 29.

The Pentucket hockey team retird McCarthy's number 24 and presented McCarthy's frame Jersey to his parents - Jim and Jola - at a pregame ceremony prior to last night's 1-1 tie with Amesbury.

Pentucket tripped Triton, 4-3, for its first victory since the death of captain Matt McCarthy. Captain John Gavin dug the puck out of the corner and scored a backbreaker with 13 seconds left in the second period. That gave Pentucket a 3-1 lead.

North Reading got goals from six different players assists from seven players in a 6-2 decision over Amesbury. Kyle Anderson and Chris Leslie both had a goal and two assists.

Merrimack College freshman goaltender Joe Cannatawas named the Hockey East  Rookie of the Week. Cannata stopped 35 shots last Friday, leading the Warriors to a 3-2 upset victory over fifth-ranked Vermomt.

This is the third time Cannata has received a weekly honor this season by Hockey East.

Merrimack (7-18-3, 3-16-2 HE) hosts Providence College Saturday at 7 p.m. at Lawler Arena, before visiting the Friars Sunday at 4 p.m. in a game that will be televised by ESPNU.

Craig White and Brandon Middleton scored goals for Triton. Keegan Howes, Sean Lawless and Brian Cosgrove had assists. Mike Kaminsky had 17 saves. Triton will meet the loser of tomorrow's matchup between Matignon and Haverhill in Fournier Division consolation game on Thursday evening (5 p.m.).

Bob DiSorbo and goalie Andrew Mueskes could both lay laim to being Mr. Clutch as the Pentucket hockey team defeated Saugus 4-3 in a shootout in the opening game of the Newburyport Bank Tournament.