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Newburyport unbeaten in last four after victory over Pentucket

Friday, January, 18 By Evan Mugford
Correspondent

Newburyport coach Paul Yameen knows better than to underestimate an opponent, and as last night's final buzzer sounded, it was evident that he has taught his team well.

The Clippers (5-3-1) outscored rival Pentucket 8-3 at the Veterans Memorial Rink in Haverhill last night, pouncing on early and never relinquishing their lead. The Clippers are 3-0-1 in their last four.

It was their second matchup of the season with the Clippers prevailing 6-4 in their first encounter, and Yameen knew that the Sachems (2-8) and their coach, Bill Burns, would bring all the intensity they could muster.

"It was a physical game," Yameen said. "They work hard, they like to muck it up, that's their style of play, and I think we adapted to that pretty well."

It didn't take long for the Clippers to make a dent in the score as junior Collin Cusack netted one off a Kevin Holmes helper at 1:30. That goal was quickly followed by a Kyle McElroy goal thanks to nice passing by Derek Freeman and Derek McCoy. McElroy (2 goals, 3 assists) and McCoy (3 goals, 2 assists) were an inexorable tandem, with both players collecting five points.

"Our first line was great," Yameen said. "McElroy, McCoy and Freeman all played excellent. They got it going for us and they really put the pressure on."

Despite the quick start, Pentucket managed to quell the Clipper assault by adding a goal of their own midway through the first.

"We fell asleep there for a bit," Yameen said. "They composed themselves, added a goal, and outplayed us in the back half. But once the second came around, I think we turned it up and played really well."

Newburyport indeed played well in the second period, tallying another four goals and increasing their lead to 6-1. Before the last intermission, Pentucket managed to sneak another one by the pads of freshman goalie Anthony Federico, whose play was commended by his teammates.

"It was an all-out team effort, from goalie to wings," said McElroy, whose off-season regimen included time spent at a peak performance camp that helped boost his speed and strength. "We knew we had to bring our intensity tonight. Our team goal is to get to the state (tournament), and taking it game by game is how we're going to achieve it."

The third frame began with a quick Pentucket goal by Adam Roberts, nicely assisted by his twin brother, Alex. But the lone goal was all the Sachems could muster from there. Newburyport, on the other hand, collected another two insurance goals from McCoy and William Boudreau thanks to crafty passing by McElroy, Kevin Ryan and McCoy.

"(Pentucket) played hard," Yameen said. "They play physical, they're our rivals, so the kids were definitely up for this one. Masconomet is our next game, and we lost to them earlier this season. But we're a different team, and we're aimed to redeem that loss."