Reading, MA – The Burlington Red Devils traveled north on Route 128 to the Burbank Arena for a Saturday night Middlesex League crossover game against the Rockets of Reading High School.
Reading controlled most of the first period. The Rockets forwards pressured the Burlington defenseman and tested Burlington’s goalie Camden Shanahan early and often. It looked like Reading would get on the board at the ten-minute mark when a puck bounced off the back wall and deflected in the net off of Shanahan’s skate but the referee called it no goal saying the net was off its pegs. Burlington stayed patient and did a good job playing within their systems for most of the opening 15 minutes, and the period would end scoreless at 0-0.
The second period was much like the first with Reading picking up where they left off in the Burlington defensive zone. Reading did a good job of using their points and getting shots through to the net, and that strategy would eventually pay off. At 13:28 of the middle frame, Reading’ s Mark Boyle tipped a TJ Michel shot beating Shanahan far side to give Reading the 1-0 lead. Twenty seconds later it would become 2-0 when Reading’s Laz Giardina blocked a shot from the Burlington defenseman and went in on a breakaway beating Shanahan under the blocker. Reading’s Evan Pennucci was an ongoing concern all period as well. He had a half dozen shots on net and created some nice odd-man rushes. Ultimately, the period would end 2-0 Reading.
Burlington needed to have a good start to the third period to try and get back into the game. The first few minutes they had some offensive zone time but unfortunately came out with nothing to show for it. The momentum eventually swung back in Reading’s favor and at 8:48 of the period, Pennucci collected a pass and skated by the Burlington defenseman, ripping a shot far side past Shanahan. Pennucci’s goal would give the Rockets a 3-0 lead and that’s how the game would end. Both teams played collectively hard and smart but Reading’s skill up front proved to be the difference.
Three Stars:
1. F Evan Pennucci, Reading
2. F Laz Giardina, Reading
3. G Chris Hanifan, Reading