READING, Mass. -- Reading’s superior talent was too much for North Andover on Monday night as the Rockets improved to 3-1-0 with a 6-1 win over the visiting Knights at Burbank Ice Arena.
Special teams was the name of the game as Reading scored two shorthanded goals and a power play goal. It was a nice bounceback win for Mark Doherty’s team after Saturday’s 3-1 setback against Middlesex League rival Burlington.
The Rockets showed that they are capable of being one of the top teams in the state with two very solid forward lines and two good defensive pairings. From my initial viewings and talking to some coaches around the state, the Middlesex League could very well get four teams into the Super 8.
Six different players scored goals for Reading. Sean Barbara, Sean Golden, Michael Dufton, Charlie Miele, Evan Pennucci, and Ryan Goodwin found the back of the net for the Rockets.
Prospect notes
There were no players that stood out as Division I college hockey prospects in Monday evening’s game. However, there were two players that showed they have a chance to get there and a few others who look to be candidates to play Division III college hockey.
Evan Pennucci
Reading, 10/24/04, RW, right shot, 5-10/155
Pennucci, a freshman, had a goal and an assist. His goal was a beauty while shorthanded. After a scrum along the wall in the attacking zone, the puck came out to him near the blue line. He sidestepped one defender and put it into second gear before rocketing a wrist shot into the back of the net. His assist was thanks to him forcing a turnover and being heavy on pucks to win a battle along the wall in his attacking zone. Pennucci, who played for the East Coast Wizards this fall, displayed good hands and an ability to juke defenders on a couple of occasions.
Landyn Greatorex
Reading, 7/26/03, LW, left shot, 5-8/145
Greatorex had an assist on a power play goal, but was noticeable several times. The junior has a second gear and his skating stands out, especially for the MIAA level. He played for the Boston Jr. Eagles 16-U this fall.
Matthew Fiorenza
Reading, 10/13/01, D, right shot, 5-9/145
Fiorenza had a power play assist, but he had an impact all night in the possession game as he can break pucks out of his own zone and jump into the rush with his above average mobility. The senior should be coveted by prep schools looking for a mobile, puck-moving, post-graduate defenseman for the 2020-21 season.
Charlie Miele
Reading, 12/13/02, D, left shot, 5-10/165
Miele scored a goal on a seeing-eye wrister from the point. However, his appearance on the score sheet isn’t what stood out. He delivered a couple of big hits. As he has for a few years now, he showed the ability to be a solid, physical, defensive defenseman.
Cam Lawhorne
Reading, 11/6/01, D, left shot, 5-9/160
Lawhorne made a couple of nice stretch passes and played on the first power play unit. He’s a defenseman who has caught my eye a few times over the years. If he’s interested, Lawhorne could be a nice pickup for a few prep programs who’d be looking for a PG in 2020-21.
Robbie Granara
Reading, 1/1/04, LW, left shot, 5-10/140
Granara seemed to get more ice time as the game went along. A freshman, he saw some time on the penalty kill in the third period. He’s a player who I could see developing into a nice player over the coming years.
Andrew Perry
North Andover, 7/27/04, RW, right shot, 6-1/165
Perry had an assist on North Andover’s lone goal, scored by Cole Fagan during a five-on-three power play in the third period. Perry is a big winger, who goes to the net and can use his size to his advantage.
Reading lines
Greatorex - S. Golden - S. Barbera
Dufton - K. Donaghey - E. Pennucci
Granara - R. Goodwin - J. Donovan
Pennucci - C. Mulvey - A. Picano
Miele - B. Millerick
Lawhorne - M. Fiorenza
Sumner - Z. Micciche
Hannabury
North Andover lines
Carpentier - T. Doherty - M. Gelinas
Fagan - A. Heinze - D. D’Ambrosio
Kuskta - K. Corliss - A. Perry
Whitehouse - N. Herald
Earley - T. Berube
Corliss - D. Faulkner
Williamson
