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Fanning and Biondo benefit from being second cousins

Wednesday, January, 23 By Nick Curcuru
Correspondent

Gloucester forward Jeremy Fanning took a perfect centering pass from line-mate Brett Biondo in an early-season game against Beverly and put it in the back of the net with relative ease.

It was quite evident watching the play that Biondo knew exactly where Fanning would be and that Fanning knew exactly where Biondo was looking. If one was to watch the duo play, one may come to the conclusion that the two have been playing together for a quite a while, and that's because they have been.

Fanning and Biondo, a senior and junior respectively, are second cousins and have built up a chemistry on the ice together since a very young age. The built up chemistry has been paying dividends this season, as Fanning and Biondo are first and second on the team in scoring with 26 and 22 points respectively, the next highest scorer on the team has 11 points.

"We have been playing hockey together since we learned how to skate," said Fanning, who has 14 goals and 12 assists on the year. "That has really led to our great chemistry, we rely on each other out there and we trust each other. I knew we would put up some good numbers going into the season, but I didn't know they would be this good."

Calling Fanning and Biondo good is definitely an understatement, as the duo have combined to score 26 of the teams 48 goals this season. Fishermen head coach Don Lowe has also noticed and taken a liking in what he has seen from his top two scorers. Thanks in large part to the contributions of Fanning and Biondo, the Fishermen sit at the top of the Northeastern Conference North standings with a 9-1-1 overall record.

"They really have a feel for each other," Lowe said. "They instinctively look for each other. They have been instrumental in our success this year."

It is pretty obvious that the two have a feel for one another when you look closely at their numbers. Seven of Fanning's 12 assists have come on Biondo's goals, and six of Biondo's 10 assists have come on Fanning's goals.

Both Fanning and Biondo (12 goals, 10 assists) would agree that being second cousins plays a role in the way they play together.

"It definitely helps that we are cousins because we have known each other just about all our lives," Biondo said. "We have had a lot of fun playing together."

The duo are described by Lowe as quiet and hard working on the ice, but despite their similar personalities and their ability to play together so well, Biondo and Fanning are actually very different in their style of play.

Biondo is known for his speed. More often than not he is the fastest player on the ice and he can skate through just about any defenseman that stands in his way. He can use his speed to both set up and score goals.

"Brett's best asset is his speed," Lowe said. "He has always had blazing speed but this season he is scoring more because he is more willing to shoot instead of trying to deke, it's been a big difference."

Fanning takes ease knowing that his line mate can rush up ice and make a play where there might not be one.

"I love that he's a hard skater," Fanning said. "Plus he really knows how to move the puck and put us into a good situation, more often than not we will score because of it."

When Biondo is moving the puck, he usually finds Fanning, who has been a sniper this season for the Fishermen. If an opposing goaltender gives Fanning any room to score he is going to find the opening and bury the puck in the back of the net. If the defense keys in on Fanning, he is always willing to make that extra pass to set up a score.

"Jeremy is a finisher," Biondo said. "He can find the back of the net and if I get a pass to him he will put it away." Lowe has also lauded Fanning's offensive skill.

"Fanning has a loads of offensive talent," Lowe said. "He is good coming through the zone and he has a deadly shot from the slot. He has really stepped up for us this season."

Overall, Biondo and Fanning look to keep their success going in the second half of the season, which starts on Saturday against bitter rival Danvers (6 p.m., Talbot Rink). Both forwards believe that they will keep putting up big numbers for the remainder of the year.

"We should definitely keep it going," Biondo said. "We have worked really hard. But right now we are going to take it one shift at a time, it's worked for us so far."