GLOUCESTER – The Gloucester Fishermen (11-5-3, 9-2-1) withstood a furious second-period rally by the Beverly Panthers (7-10-2, 6-6-0) and exploded for 5 goals in the third to down the Panthers, 7 to 1.
With Gloucester leading 2-0 after EJ Field pumped home 2 goals 25 seconds apart following a 5 on 3 power play in the first period, Beverly cut the lead to 2-1 in the second with Gavin Doyle (assist to Finn Crocker) scoring at 10:02. The Panthers outshot Gloucester 22-9 after 2.
Connor Vittands was solid in net as the Fishermen scored early and often in the third to break the game open. Field completed his hat trick in the first minute of play in the third to deflate the Panthers and put the Fishermen up 3 to 1 at the 46-second mark.
Jeremy Abreau added two more tallies, and freshman Nick White ended the scoring with just over 5 minutes ledf to play in the game.
Gloucester hosts Lynnfield Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the final regular season game; and Beverly hosts Methuen Monday at noon
Gloucester Coach Derek Geary
Scoring
1st Period
(G) EJ Field (Jack Delaney) PPG 4:53
(G) Field (Jeremy Abreu, Jack Costanzo) PPG 5:18
2nd Period
(B) Gavin Doyle (Finn Crocker) 10:02
3rd Period
(G) Field (Costanzo, Ryan Bergin) :46
(G) Aidan Donald (Zach Abbot, Jason Levreault) 2:50
(G) Abreu (Jack Delaney, Bergin) 6:02
(G) Abreu (Field) PPG 7:09
(G) Nick White (Abbot, Levreault)
