LYNN - Deadlocked after two periods, the Bishop Fenwick hockey team needed a lift in the third period of last night's game.

Enter Chris Renzulli.

The sophomore netted his first goal of the season, lifting the Crusaders to a 2-1 victory over the Lynn Jets.

"It was a good game. We knew it would be a tough one because (Lynn) plays very well in this rink," said Fenwick coach Bob Tierney. "It could've gone the other way, just as the first one could've."

Fenwick and the Jets tied last month, 3-3, in Peabody. Last night's contest appeared headed for another tie before Renzulli stepped up big.

Pat Desmond-Dozario took a shot from the point that Jets goalie Tuni Vitali stopped, but he left a juicy rebound to his left that Renzulli was able to pounce on. The opportunistic 10th grader flipped it into the twine for the decisive tally.

"He's been fighting it around the net this year and hasn't been able to score," said Tierney. "That has to be one of his biggest goals he's had here."

The Jets gathered some momentum late in the third period, peppering Fenwick goalkeeper Craig Forrest with a total of 12 shots. But the junior refused to yield and totaled 25 saves on the night.

"You could tell Lynn was in great shape because they kept coming at us," said Tierney. "The last six minutes they had a lot of opportunities, but Craig was up to the task."

It was a win that Fenwick (6-3-1) needed while taking three of a possible four points from Lynn this season. They did it with a combination of finesse and defense - a James Gattuso blocked shot here, a big Forest save there. Next thing you knew, the Crusaders were skating off with two crucial points and everyone on the bench had a hand in the victory.

"The second period was one of our best - all three lines played their best hockey of the year," said Tierney. "Our third line was playing so well that I didn't even try to play match-ups - they played against Lynn's top line."

The result was a dominant second period, but it was one that didn't quite pay off for Fenwick. Vitali stopped nine shots in the frame to keep it tied up, but the Crusaders were undaunted and kept attacking before earning Renzulli's winner early in the third.

"In the second we had enough chances that we could've been up a couple of goals, but we weren't so the third period is anyone's game. To be able to score early ... that was huge," said Tierney.

Just five days earlier, Fenwick suffered its worst loss of the year, 7-1 at the hand of Matignon. But after a Monday morning 6-0 thrashing of Swampscott and last night's triumph, the Crusaders are back on their game and gathering momentum.

"We had been inconsistent all year and (Saturday) was one of those nights where we seemed to do everything wrong," said Tierney. "We told the kids, 'Relax, there's only one way to go and that's up.'

"To win two games in a row against two quality teams like these speaks volumes for our kids."

Fenwick went on top in the first on a beautiful goal from captain Pat Doliber. The Marblehead native skated in alone on Vitali and faked right before tucking the puck between the goaltender's legs to light the lamp. Lynn tied the game with a power play goal with just 35 seconds left in period, however.

From here, the Crusaders need seven points to qualify for the Division 2 North state tournament and will look to get two more this Saturday when they host Marian. But if they play with the grit they displayed against Lynn, the goals may shift from simple qualification to doing some damage in March.

"To come back the way we did (after Saturday) is a tribute to our kids," said Tierney. "They're coming together; we have a tough second half schedule, but we're looking forward to the challenge."

Matt Williams is a staff writer at The Salem News. Contact him at mwilliams@salemnews.com or by phone at 978-338-2669.