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SALEM | The odds were not in John McInnis' favor. When the 2007-08 high school hockey season began a little over three months ago, McInnis was a sophomore defenseman fighting for ice time at Danvers High.

The tournament bound Crusaders (12-7-1) shook off Monday's Carlin Cup defeat against Peabody by coming from behind to best Beverly. The visiting Panthers had a 2-1 lead in the third before the Crusaders struck with power play tallies from Mark Sparaco and Dale Crispin to snare the victory.

Their head coach, Mark Leonard, may have been on crutches after breaking his ankle during a game against the Bruins' Old-Timers this past weekend.

But the rest of the Peabody High hockey team was in tip-top shape | and they displayed that for all to see in yesterday's annual Carlin Cup contest against city rival Bishop Fenwick.

The Crusaders inched closer to a Catholic Central League championship with the victory over Shawsheen. Bishop Fenwick (10-5-1) needs four points in the final two games of the season to clinch the title.

Less than a week after having to spend the night in the hospital due to injury, senior captain Pat Doliber had a goal and an assist | including the game-winner with just over two minutes to play | as Fenwick knocked off Marian on the road, 2-1, Saturday night.

SALEM | Both the Marblehead High and Bishop Fenwick hockey teams are battling to qualify for the state hockey tournament, and any win either team can secure these days is huge.

It appeared the two teams would have to settle for one point each when they faced off against each other last night at the Rockett Arena. That is, until Marblehead junior scored on a rebound with just over a minute left, powering the Headers to a 2-1 victory.

First half analysis: There's more scoring here than anyone thought possible; Pat Doliber, Mark Sparaco, Dale Crispin, Jordan Mizioch and John Luti have combined for 86 points thus far. Newcomers Crispin and Sparaco have been pleasant surprises. Goaltending and defense need work, however; those areas have hurt Fenwick at times. Monday's 6-0 win over Swampscott (with 44 saves from Craig Forrest) was a good step in the right direction.

Deadlocked after two periods, the Bishop Fenwick hockey team needed a lift in the third period of last night's game.

Enter Chris Renzulli.

The sophomore netted his first goal of the season, lifting the Crusaders to a 2-1 victory over the Lynn Jets.

Craig Forrest had been struggling lately in net for Bishop Fenwick, but he stopped every puck Swampscott shot at him to lead the Crusaders to a 6-0 victory yesterday morning at Peabody's McVann-O'Keefe Rink.

Coming off their first loss of the season, the Crusaders (3-1-1) offense exploded for seven goals at Talbot Rink in Gloucester to down Rockport, 7-4.

Junior forward Mark Sparaco scored a hat trick and had two assists while junior forward Dale Crispin (1 goal, 3 assists), junior defenseman James Gattuso (2 assists) and senior forward Jordan Mizioch (1 goal, 1 assist) were other offensive standouts.