Reading, MA – We closed out our opening weekend with a Middlesex League rivalry game as the Red Devils of Burlington traveled east to take on the Rockets of Reading. Last year we took in this same matchup at the BIP and we figured it was worth returning the favor. After chowing down on some stellar Burbank Arena rink pizza we found our seats in the top row of the bleachers near the student section. The atmosphere pre-game was electric and it reached a fever pitch when the Rockets came out on the ice. The hometown crowd was dressed for a whiteout and they packed the stands from top to bottom. The Burlington fans contrasted with a blackout theme near the entrance on the opposite end. After plenty of hooting and hollering…we were ready to go.
In the first period, both teams were flying at top speed and there was a lot of adrenaline pumping. You could see the determination on the players’ faces and you could see it in their hustle. The early possession battle was back and forth with each trade trading quality looks. As the period wore on Burlington began to own the territorial battle and put a couple of Grade A chances on net following turnovers they created. That momentum would be short-lived as Reading came right back and opened the scoring. With 2:52 remaining, senior defender Ian Leonard let one fly and it hit a stick in front tipping the puck up and over the Burlington goalie’s glove: 1-0 Rockets. Shortly after that, they would double the lead, seizing on the momentum. Sophomore forward Ethan Filipski dished off to senior forward Liam Hansen who roofed it to make it 2-0 Rockets. That would be our score after 1.
In the middle frame, both teams maintained the high pace of play and the physicality picked up on both sides. Burlington was looking to establish their presence below the dots while Reading was finding opportunities to light up the opposition in open ice. Both found success early and created Grade A looks but Reading owned the lion’s share of the chances. The Rockets’ forecheck in this period was relentless and they created a couple of great looks resulting from steals. The score remained the same as the first, despite all this action: 2-0 Reading after 2.
In the final frame, Burlington continued to pushback against the tide as Reading continued to suffocate with it’s quick forecheck and aggressive skating. The Red Devils were able to break through the pressure more often in the final frame and they got exactly what they needed early in the period. Just 1:18 in, sophomore forward Wyatt Condon fed senior forward Nolan Jennings who took the ice he was given and snapped off a shot from the slot that beat the goalie to cut the lead in half: 2-1. There was a hush over the home crowd for the first time all night and Burlington continued to make a push with more action deep in the Reading zone. However, as the period wore on, Reading regained the territorial battle, threw more heavy hits and ultimately put themselves in good scoring positions. With 5:34 left an errand exit pass found the stick of a streaking senior forward (and St. Anselm lacrosse commit) Nate Mulvey who buried it quickly on the forehand to put the dagger in for this game. Reading would stave off a late power play push by Burlington to take the 3-1 win in Middlesex League play.
Three Stars:
- F Liam Hansen, Reading
- F Nate Mulvey, Reading
- F Nolan Jennings, Burlington