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Marblehead ousts Knights in tourney opener

NORTH BILLERICA — Drew Cioffi is used to regularly lighting up the scoresheet during lacrosse season. Three, four, five goals or more isn’t uncommon for the University of Tampa recruit.

But in hockey, Cioffi is known more for his playmaking skills. Before Tuesday night’s playoff opener against North Andover, that is.

Cioffi had his first career hat trick as the Headers rolled to a 6-2 win in the first round of Division 2 North state tournament at the Chelmsford Forum.

Linemate Braden Haley, who has 165 career points, second on the school’s all-time list behind Toot Cahoon’s 174, finished with a pair of goals and two helpers. 

Marblehead was whistled for 10 minor penalties (killing off all but one).

Cioffi got the scoring started at 7:20 of the first period with a power play tally. He positioning himself low in the slot and converted a nice feed from Braden Haley, putting the shot over Ben Carlson’s right shoulder. He doubled the Headers’ lead two minutes before the break, again going to the near post and putting home a loose puck that a fallen Carlson couldn’t reach.

Marblehead broke the contest open with two shorthanded strikes.

North Andover made a valiant attempt to stay in the game, scoring twice before the second intermission. Talented freshman Patrick Moran picked the top left corner on the power play from the top of the Knights’ power play umbrella. 

Then, with a half-minute to go, junior Zach Keating buzzed down the right wing boards. With a tired Headers’ group having just killed off another power play, he blew past the defense and beat Cunningham with a laser, cutting the deficit to 4-2.

But Haley took the momentum back for the Marbleheaders by knocking in his own rebound with 8:37 to play.