RallyNorth.net

The only thing colder than the toes of the spectators inside Kasabuski Arena last night was the deep freeze Marblehead goalie Moe Bradley laid on host Beverly's offense. Behind 24 stops from the sophomore netminder, the Lady Headers handed the Panthers a 4-0 defeat.

The ways in which Rachel Konaxis is weaved into the very fabric of the Beverly High girls hockey program are almost too many to count.

For starters, the senior center is the program's all-time leading scorer with 109 points and is the first female player in school history to hit the century mark. She's also been a captain all three years the Panthers have had a varsity program.

It's going to be a memorable weekend for sports fans around the North Shore, without question. There's Saturday night's boys hockey showdown between Peabody and Gloucester, in addition to the usual weekend slate of on-ice match-ups. Who could forget that the Patriots will look to bring their perfect season to the Super Bowl in Sunday's AFC Championship showdown against San Diego?

Beverly has been everything advertised and then some, sprinting out to a 3-1-0 start with an eye-popping aggregate score of 23-4. One of the biggest reasons for their success has been the play of senior captain Rachel Konaxis, who has taken on a new role as playmaker this season.

The youth movement has definitely taken over on the Beverly girls hockey team with 10 freshmen and two eighth-graders taking regular shifts. But while the Panther are very young with only two seniors, they are also very skilled.

Three years ago, the start of Beverly High's girls co-operative hockey team meant a big change for Rachel Konaxis. She joined the squad after playing with the boys junior varsity team as freshman and made the switch from defense to center.

Last year's record: 7-11

Coach: Fiona Rice (3rd year)

Key returnees: Rachel Konaxis, Sr., Forward; Brianna Jackson, Soph., Goaltender; Rebecca Powers, Jr., Forward.

Key departures: Lauren Bolger, Defense; Elyse Citroni, Forward; Briana Russo, Forward.