RallyNorth.net

North Reading had to beat Lynnfield and tie Wilmington just to get into the state tournament.

The odds of that seemed slim and none, but the Hornets did it.

But beating third-seeded Gloucester in their Division 2 North first-round matchup would be even more improbable. Yet, it came down to one play.

Derek McCoy became the 21st player in Newburyport High hockey program history to tally 100 points in his career last evening during his team's 5-2 victory over North Reading at Graf Rink.

McCoy's 100th point came on an assist to Gavin LaValley with 2:21 left in the second period, giving the Clippers a 4-2 lead.

Lightning struck thrice last night at the Graf Rink.

Not only did the Newburyport Clippers (8-6-1) avenge an early-season loss to the North Reading Hornets (7-9-1), but senior forward Derek McCoy recorded his 100th career point, and sophomore Kyle McElroy notched a hat trick in the Clipper's 5-2 victory.

Frederick Hein and Mark Moran scored two goals each for North Reading. Triton trailed 1-0 after one period and 5-0 after two.

"It was one of those nights," Triton coach Kevin Dodier said. "We have nine games left, and we're in position to make a run. We need to push through and regroup as a team."

Michael Levy took a pass from Jonathan O'Connor and scored on a breakaway with 3:47 left to give North Andover a 2-1 win over North Reading. Ryan Sifferlen added his 18th goal of the season, and Tyler Morandi made 25 saves for the Scarlet Knights. Fred Hein scored the Hornets' goal, and Garrett Topping made 23 saves.

Tim McAuliffe's goal with less than a second to play helped North Reading to fend off Newburyport and allow the Hornets to remain in first place in the Cape Ann League with a 3-2 victory.

After Aaron Semaio's second goal put the Hornets (4-0-1 in the CAL, 4-3-1 overall) up 2-0 with 7:59 to play, the Clippers responded with a pair of scores, the last coming with 53 seconds remaining. A fortuitous bounce on Fred Hein's slapshot found McAuliffe, who went top shelf just before the final buzzer sounded for the game-winner.

Matt Calos' goal in the third period pulled North Reading to within a goal but that is where the comeback ended for the Hornets in a 5-4 loss to Martha's Vineyard in the first round of the Gloucester Invitational. The Vineyarders scored three second-period goals that went unanswered until the third period.

2006-07 record: 12-6-5, lost in Division 2 North quarterfinals

Returning lettermen: Fred Hein, Sr., wing; Tim McAuliffe, Sr., center; Aaron Semiao, Jr., wing; Mark Moran, Soph., center; Derek Marenholz, Soph., wing; Jeff Leonard, Sr., center; Bill Goddard, Jr., wing; Matt Calos, Jr., defense; Derek Bross, Sr., defense; Eric Puglia, Sr., defense; Tyler Pascucci, Jr., defense