WINTHROP — Gloucester and Winthrop went head-to-head at Larsen Rink on Saturday, with the Fishermen coming out on top 4-3 in overtime after a game-winner from Bryce Albano.
For Fishermen head coach Derek Geary, this has been a long time coming.
“We’re excited. This is the hardest place to win in the Northeastern Conference. In fact, we haven’t done it in over ten years. It’s a great achievement,” said Geary. “(Winthrop) plays with a ton of emotion, their coach is a tactical master, especially in this rink. (This is) a huge win for our program.”
The game started with both goalies, Trey Marrone (Gloucester) and James Lyman (Winthrop), at the top of their game, not letting a single goal be scored in the first period.
In the second period, it was the Vikings who delivered first as captain Joe Pumphret scored a goal with eight minutes on the clock, assisted by Nick Romano and Domenic Spinale.
Gloucester did not trail behind for long, with Cameron Amero scoring its first goal around one and a half minutes later. Not wanting to lose the energy, Gloucester followed through and scored another goal via sophomore Connor Curley. This cemented the Fishermen’s 2-1 lead going into the game’s final period.
Keeping Gloucester on a tight leash, Winthrop tied the game in the third period with a goal by Spinale, assisted by Pumphret.
Gloucester managed to take the Vikings’ score in stride before returning the favor late in the third period with a goal from William Linn, assisted by Sam Sanfilippo and Jack Higgins, bringing the score to 3-2. Just as it seemed the game was in Gloucester’s hands, Winthrop’s Pumphret scored another goal with just about two minutes to go in regulation, tying the game up at 3 -3.
With a tie at the end of the third period and the game going into a sudden-death overtime, the crowd was on the edge of their seats as Winthrop and Gloucester battled back and forth, each taking shots that nearly cemented the win.
Eventually, the freshman Albano scored that winning shot to send the Fishermen into a celebration.
“It was great, the team all put equal (effort) into it. (I) took the puck, toe dragged around the defender, (and) put it in the net,” said Albano.
Geary was proud of his team’s perseverance to keep up the fight throughout the game.
“High school hockey is so emotional… (it’s) hard work to get them focused again. You do have to manage emotions,” said Geary, “I’m very proud of our guys (for their) resiliency. We gave up the lead and came back and played a strong overtime.”
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