Woburn, MA -Winchester High School hosted the Reading Rockets in a key Middlesex league contest this late afternoon. Reading took home a 6-1 victory tonight on six rebound goals, four by Junior Liam Hansen. Senior Chris Hanifan was excellent in the net for the Rocket win.
In the first five minutes of the game, Winchester put pressure on Reading. Hanifan was up to the challenge, and it wasn’t long until Reading struck. Hansen popped home his first on a rebound of his own shot with an assist to 2008 Ryan MacCurtain. Four minutes later, Hansen went to the net and snuck another rebound home, with MacCurtain adding another assist. The first period ended 2-0 Reading with no penalties called.
In the second period, things got worse for Winchester. With 6:20 left in the second period, MacCurtain showed quick hands in tight as he gathered a rebound and snapped it home on the power play. TJ Michel and Matty Fichera added assists. It was 3-0 Reading as the ice was tilted toward the Winchester end all period. Winchester took a penalty with no time left and would start the third on the penalty kill down 3-0.
The Rockets’ fourth goal came on the power play on a rebound as Hansen popped his own rebound again off a great pass on a 2v1 chance by Cam Fahey. Winchester responded when 2008 Luke Sardone scored on a David Strong rebound (seriously) to make it 4-1. With under a minute left, Fichera gathered a rebound (not kidding) and slipped it into the net to make it 5-1. James Gigante and Luca Picano picked up assists. It was 5-1 after two periods.
In the final frame, Hansen pumped home a Michel rebound (believe it!) for his fourth goal of the night. That was all as Reading took home a convincing, gritty road victory to remain unbeaten 6-1.
Three Stars
First: Liam Hansen (Reading)
Second: Ryan MacCurtain (Reading)
Third: Chris Hanifan (Reading)
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
