RallyNorth.net

Donlan's OT winner sends Londonderry into semifinals

Saturday, March, 02 By Jeff Hamrick

SALEM — Just when people were wondering if anyone would break through the stellar, overtime net play, Curtis Harper put an end to a classic Division I quarterfinal.

The junior forward made Mike Donlan's assist pay off with a wrap-around winner that provided third-seeded Londonderry with a tough 3-2 victory over sixth-seeded Salem.

Harper, who also assisted on the first of John Gomes' two goals, knocked home his finisher with 1:48 left in overtime, capping an extra frame highlighted by tremendous saves from Londonderry's Joe McGrath, who had 7 of his 30 saves in OT, and Salem's Nick Phair, who had nine of his 35.

Londonderry (16-4-1) appeared ready to finish matters in the third period when Gomes wrister from the slot provided a 2-1 lead with 10:09 remaining.

But Salem (11-8-3) forced overtime on an Alex Ring goal following a face-off to the right of McGrath with 2:00 mintues remaining.

Londonderry, which dropped both regular-season matches to Salem, will take an eight-game winning streak into Wednesday's 5:30 p.m. semifinal against second-seeded Manchester Central at JFK Coliseum in Manchester. In the streak, the Lancers have outscored opponents by a combined 35-12.

Salem, which lost playmaker Jake Pappalardo to a snowmobile accident, finished its season with a  seve-game stretch in which they went 1-5-1. The tough run followed a victory over Londonderry on Feb. 2 that propelled the Blue Devils into first play at the time.