READING, Mass. -- Arlington came out firing on all cylinders and scored two goals en route to a 3-0 win over Middlesex League rival Reading on Tuesday afternoon at Burbank Ice Arena.
It was a standing room crowd inside the arena to watch two of the top programs in the state go at it. The intensity and pace on the ice matched the anticipation of the fans who packed in to watch.
Reading is a good hockey team, but Arlington’s speed proved too much as the Rockets had to take a handful of penalties to try and slow down the Spy Ponders. It was an impressive display from John Messuri’s team, who looks to be an early favorite to win the Super 8.
Senior Brendan Jones started the scoring when he fired home a one-timer from the left wing circle. The pass came from Northeastern commit and fellow senior Anthony Messuri.
Just a few minutes later, Arlington went to work on the power play. Junior Leo Piandes won the face-off and got it back to sophomore Reid Malatesta who fired it on goal. Piandes drove the net and banged home the rebound.
Defenseman Tyler Callahan finished off the scoring with another power play goal in the second period. With time winding down on the man advantage, be fired home a shot after a nice passing sequence from Malatesta and Piandes.
Senior Nathan Brennan picked up the shutout in net for Arlington. Other players who logged a lot of significant minutes for Arlington were second line center and senior Brendan Pigott, sophomore Jake Murphy, senior defenseman Ryan Davies and junior defenseman Dominic Laiosa.
It was a tough night for the Rockets, but junior left wing Landyn Greatorex and senior defenseman Cam Lawhorne were two players who I thought had some flashes. The team looked far better in last week’s viewing, a 6-1 win over North Andover.
Standout prospects
Brendan Jones
Arlington, 7/30/01, LW, left shot, 5-10/180
NCAA commit: Holy Cross (baseball)
Jones is a good skater who hunts pucks and can fly all over the ice. His one-timer from the left wing circle that ended up being the game-winner was a quick release where the puck was barely on his stick. He has very good speed and created opportunities for his linemates by getting defensemen to chase.
Leo Piandes
Arlington, 8/9/03, C, right shot, 5-11/160
Piandes played in all situations for Arlington while centering the third line. He was good on the power play and the penalty kill. Piandes is a good skater who created offense on the rush and has above average hands.
Anthony Messuri
Arlington, 7/24/01, C, left shot, 5-9/165
NCAA commit: Northeastern
Messuri had the assist on the first goal and was noticeable for his speed. I don’t think this was Messuri’s best game, as he fought the puck some. However, he had the puck a lot and was involved in the play.
Reid Malatesta
Arlington, 7/28/03, RW, right shot, 5-9/160
Malatesta had a couple of assists and had the skating ability to play with Jones and Messuri, two of the faster players in MIAA.
Jake Murphy
Arlington, 1/28/04, RW, right shot, 5-11/175
Murphy didn’t get a lot of ice time today as there was a lot of specialty teams play. However, his skating looked to be a little better and he still is a force on the forecheck, despite being a younger player in this game.
Arlington lines
B. Jones - A. Messuri - R. Malatesta
J. Santagati - B. Pigott - J. Hourican
84 (not on roster) - L. Piandes - J. Murphy
D. Laiosa - R. Davies
T. Callahan - D. Dolan
L. Beraducci
N. Brennan
Reading lines
L. Greatorex - S. Golden - S. Barbera
E. Pennucci - K. Donaghey - M. Dufton
J. Pennucci - C. Mulvey - A. Picano
C. Lawhorne - M. Fiorenza
B. Millerick - C. Miele
D. Emery
