SALEM, N.H. — Just two wins away from the postseason, Haverhill/Pentucket/North Andover girls hockey is as focused as ever.
After a 1-0 win over Westford on Thursday night, the Hillies knew they could play better. A slow start on Sunday in Salem didn’t derail the visitors, who exploded for a five-goal second period to topple Central Catholic 5-0.
“The Westford game was a game that we didn’t particularly play well,” said H-P-NA coach Gary Kane. “After being off, we didn’t play as well as we practice.”
Central netminder Julie Thing (28 saves) faced an onslaught of Hillie shots, resulting in a scoreless opening period. It easily could have been a multiple goal lead, but Thing stood tall and made life difficult for the visitors.
“The first period, you could feel frustration, they were buzzing around the net,” said Kane. “I told them, we have to start attacking as a team. Once the first one went in, they really attacked.”
The scoring started a few seconds into the middle frame with Rebecca Harty tipping in a shot in front for the 1-0 advantage, but the floodgates didn’t open until late in the period.
The Hillies (8-3-1) tallied four times in the stretch of 2:53 to close out the period.
First, Keelin Rogers was sent on a breakaway at the tail end of a penalty kill. She rung iron, but the puck bounced beyond the goal line for the 2-0 lead.
Brooke Rogers notched her fifth tally of the season off the ensuing faceoff. Hannah Keating wristed a shot in at the 33-second mark, before a late barrage resulted in Kerrin McLaughlin scoring her first of the season with just three seconds on the clock.
The scoring ended as the Raiders (4-9-1) had their most active period yet, but didn’t get it past Jenny Hubbard or Nicole Martin, who combined for the five-save shutout.
It was the second shutout in as many games, and Hubbard has shut teams out for six consecutive periods.
Kane said, “She’s playing really, really well.”
It doesn’t get any easier for H-P-NA. Up next is Beverly/Danvers on Wednesday before a rematch with Tewksbury/Methuen (12-1), who beat the Hillies 2-1 on Dec. 13.
“I always tell the girls, keep doing the right things long enough, and it’s going to pay off,” said Kane.
HPNA 5, Central Catholic 0
HPNA (8-3-1): 0 5 0 — 5
Central Catholic (4-9-1): 0 0 0 — 0
Goals: Rebecca Harty, Keelin Rogers, Brooke Rogers, Hannah Keating, Kerrin McLaughlin
Assists: Harty, Amanda Regan 3
Saves: HPNA — Jenny Hubbard 2, Nicole Martin 3; CC — Julie Thing 28
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