Reading, MA – MassNZ completed the double dip today by checking out a Middlesex League clash between the 10th-ranked Reading Rockets and the Belmont Marauders from Burbank Arena. It was Pink The Rink night to benefit The Ellie Fund (Editor’s Note: please do consider visiting their website and donating to help those fighting against breast cancer). The entire rink was decked out in pink and white streamers and there were multiple tables where fans could make additional donations beyond the ticket sales from the gate. There were several well-designed, hand-drawn signs plastered across the walls and every girls player wore a pink ribbon in their ponytails. The boys team all wore pink-highlighted socks, pink skate laces and pregame every player made a special dedication to a woman in their lives who they were playing for tonight. There was a fevered pitch in the building tonight with a full, vocal Reading student section and a large Belmont contingent as well: the stands were packed. We were ready for hockey.
In the first period, both teams came out flying but Belmont had the early jump to take advantage of a couple of Reading mistakes. They got their sticks in passing lanes and created transition plays and just 2:26 in they would capitalize. In an odd-man rush it was freshman Cam Burns who found sophomore Thomas Courtney on a sweet give-and-go that the latter finished at the net: 1-0 Marauders. The team celebrated in front of the Reading student section just for good measure. That goal seemed to light a fire for the Rockets as they picked up their intensity and physicality which led to turnovers and more shots on net. Belmont was stingy around the house but Reading’s blitz paid off at the midway point of the period. A point shot by senior captain Nate Vitarisi found the stick of sophomore Matthew Healey who tipped it home and tied the game up at 1-1. From that point on, Reading owned the majority of the possession and was working the cycle effectively down low to create scoring chances. No additional shots got by the Belmont goalie Quinn Harrington and we were all square at 1-1 after 1.
In the second period, once again the pace was frenetic and it was clear that the road team was not here to play second fiddle. They came out with a strong effort and generated some quality shots but Reading was quick to push back and generated more than a few of their own. In the fourth minute, the tie would be broken as junior Jack Sullivan fed senior Jack Melly in the slot to make it 2-1 Rockets. Four minutes later, Belmont had the answer as Burns found sophomore Gabe Kioumejian in the slot and he wired it home five-hole to tie it 2-2. Reading came right back the next shift with an answer as Melly handed it to Kamden Greatorex who fired it top corner and made it 3-2 Rockets. From that point on, Reading had the better of the chances and they would add one more goal in the 13th minute as a nice rush by junior Aidan Shaughnessy created an open look for sophomore Jack Barry who fired it through traffic to make it 4-2, which would be our score after 30 minutes.
In the third period, there was a fair amount of unstructured play early as both teams were gripping their sticks a little tight and that led to several turnovers and a lot of battles in and around the neutral zone. Neither team really gained the upper hand for the first five minutes and it would take a few minutes before Reading began to take control. Belmont was creating chances in transition but they were largely one-and-done looks whereas the Rockets had more puck possession and better sustained pressure. Both teams took their best shots but both goalies kicked out everything they saw in the opening 10 minutes. However, one minute later Reading would put this game out of reach. It was an unfortunate break for Belmont as Harrington lost his stick into the corner and because he was unable to retrieve it, Reading sent everything to the net and an initial shot by Jack Sullivan was banged home at the far post by Melly to make it 5-2. That would be our final score as the Rockets remain unbeaten in their first five games at 4-0-1 and they play Woburn next. We should also note that many of the Tanners attended this game for a pre-scout. Belmont drops to 2-4-0 and gets Arlington up next.
Three Stars:
- F Jack Melly, Reading
- F Jack Sullivan, Reading
- F Cam Burns, Belmont