Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | Final |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Salem | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
Londonderry | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
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.
Goals: S — Brian Frazier, Alex Ring; L —John Gomes, Curtis Harper
Assists: S — Ring; L —Harper, John Dunn, Mike Donlan
Saves: S — Nick Phair 35; L —Joe McGrath30
268C Mammoth Rd.
Londonderry, NH 03053
Website
Map & Directions
RallyNorth.net is a product of the Eagle-Tribune Publishing Co. All rights reserved.
© 2024 Eagle-Tribune Publishing Co., 100 Turnpike St., North Andover, Mass. 01845; 978-946-2000
High school sports schedules are subject to change.