Meghan Price scored a goal with just 0:57 left on the clock to give the Everett High girls hockey team an exciting and dramatic 2-2 tie with Masconomet Saturday evening.
Price’s lamplighter came just eight seconds after EHS head coach Joe McLaughlin pulled goaltender Kristy Welch in favor of a sixth skater. McLaughlin’s strategy worked to perfection, as Gabby Ramunno and Brittany Delling worked the puck around to earn assists on the clutch goal.
The contest had been an evenly played affair throughout, with both squads having plenty of chances which were thwarted by good defense and solid goaltending.
The Lady Crimson Tide received another sterling effort from Welch between the pipes, as she turned away 25 Masco shots. Delling also received kudos from McLaughlin for her yeoman’s work on defense.
“Brittany played about 36 of the 45 minutes, and all the while she was having some sort of allergic reaction to something in the arena, so her eyes were puffy and watery. But she played outstandingly through it all,” said her coach.
Everett’s first goal came in the second period off the stick of Nicole Flores, assisted by Captain Alex Arvanaitis and Price. The marker tied the score at 1-1 at the time, but Masco regained the lead in the third frame, setting the stage for Price’s heroics.
The tie leaves the Lady Crimson Tide with a 1-2-1 mark on the season, but they are 1-0-1 in their past two games.
“We’re really starting to play much better together,”said McLaughlin. “We’re getting more and more chances in the offensive end, but now we need to work on finishing those opportunities.”
McLaughlin and his crew will play at Peabody this Wednesday and then will host Wilmington this Saturday afternoon at 3:00 at the local rink.