Kick Saves
Matt Williams
With respect to our friends wearing goalie pads, there's a common perception that an up-tick in scoring makes for a more exciting brand of hockey.
If that's true, this might have been the best girls hockey season on the North Shore yet.
Scoring was up 22 percent this season among local teams with Beverly, Marblehead, Masconomet, Pingree and Peabody combining for 326 goals compared to 266 a year ago.
The numbers are even more extreme for individuals. In the five seasons Kick Saves has kept detailed statistical records, 2011-12 featured by far the most individual success.
In all, 14 different girls scored 10 or more goals this winter and a dozen skaters had 20 or more points. In addition, five girls earned 30 or more points, compared to just six reaching that plateau the previous four seasons — combined.
Marblehead's new emphasis on puck possession and scoring had a huge impact on the numbers. The Lady Headers had five players — Rachel McKay, Ally Healy, Eliza Quigley, Casey McDonald and Brittany Smith — hit double-digits in goals, an area record.
Overall, Marblehead increased their scoring from 63 goals a year ago to 103, making them one of the more potent attacks in the area's brief history. McKay became the sixth 20-goal scorer (with the local high-water mark held by Masconomet's Liz Chapman, who potted 30 in 2005-06).
Masconomet also enjoyed an explosion of goals, jumping from just 18 in a tough season a year ago to 68 this winter. It was no coincidence that the Chieftains quadrupled their win total as well, leaping from two to nine and in the process earning a trip back to the state tournament.
Another interesting nugget that might make Bobby Orr proud — area defensemen are more involved in their respective offenses than ever. Whether its hopping into the play, blasting away from the blue line or rushing end-to-end, there were five defenders among the top 15 local point-getters.
In all, six defensemen — Quigley, Smith, Jill Witwicki and Shelby DiFiore from Pingree, Beverly's Caitlin McBride and Peabody's Courtney Smith — topped 10 goals.
There was a bit of history set in the goaltending department as well. Masconomet junior Alex Jones made 658 saves in all, resetting her own record for stops in a single season. For her four-year career (including a varsity season as an eighth grader), Jones has made a total of 2,093 saves. Her five shutouts led the area this year, but the local record remains Moe Bradley's nine from her incredible 2008-09 season.
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It makes perfect sense for Peabody High to begin accepting middle school players next season. The Tanners graduated a ton of players the last two seasons, and middle school waivers in girls hockey are commonplace. Marblehead's Quigley and Lexie Laing were among the area's leading scorers during their middle school years, and Masco's Jones backstopped the Chieftains to their first-ever state tournament win as an 8th grader.
Look no further than former Winthrop/Lynn English goalie Katie Burt, who was a league all-star as a sixth grader, for more proof.
Peabody has one of the largest middle schools in the state, and the opportunity to get younger players with youth hockey and skating experience in the program will only help the Tanners grow.
As for this year, sophomore defenseman Courtney Smith was Peabody's leading scorer with 10 goals and 15 points. Lauren White also enjoyed a fine season with eight goals and 13 points. White shared the captain's duties with Tristina Buckley, and coach Larry Minehan was pleased with the leadership.
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While they may not have had the season they wanted to on the scoreboard, the Bishop Fenwick Crusaders (0-16 in their first varsity campaign) certainly set the stage for what they hope grows into one of the stronger programs around.
There were 24 players on the team this past season, seven of them seniors that were instrumental in getting the program off the ground. Coach Brian Seabury highlighted his captains, Candace Parks, Sydney Hunt, Alex Zizza and Emily Hayward, for their attitudes and love of the game.
"Our program's future is looking bright all in part to an amazing group of young women who had the courage and enthusiasm to compete at the varsity level," Seabury said. "We're looking forward to next season as we continue to build and improve the program."
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Stick salute to Beverly's Livvy Konaxis, who is now officially the Panthers' all-time leader in assists. Konaxis passed her big sister, Rachel, with 16 apples this winter to hike her career total to 53. The eldest Konaxis girl still holds the career mark in goals (62) and points (110), although Livvy's linemate Nicole Woods is on a healthy pace with 28 goals in her first two seasons.
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Now for some superlatives, starting with our Kick Saves' Super Team:
LW: Lily Sabatini, Pingree
C: Livvy Konaxis, Beverly
RW: Rachel McKay, Marblehead
D: Eliza Quigley, Marblehead
D: Shelby DiFiore, Pingree
G: Alex Jones, Masconomet
Now, for the best of the area as we see it on a class by class basis:
All-Senior Team
F: Lily Sabatini, Pingree
F: Ally Healy, Marblehead
F: Katrina Buchta, Masconomet
D: Allison Houde, Beverly
D: Shelby DiFiore, Pingree
G: Jenna LoVasco, Beverly
All-Junior Team
F: Kendra Dow, Masconomet
F: Livvy Konaxis, Beverly
F: Amanda Coppa, Masconomet
D: Katie Szela, Beverly
D: Nancy Palermo, Masconomet
G: Alex Jones, Masconomet
All-Sophomore Team
F: Nicole Woods, Beverly
F: Rachel McKay, Marblehead
F: Jillian Witwicki, Pingree
D: Courtney Smith, Peabody
D: Brittany Smith, Marblehead
G: Lindsay O'Connell, Pingree
All-Freshman/Middle School Team
F: Jensena Moner, Masconomet
F: Dana Valletti, Masconomet
F: Katie Shreenan, Pingree
D: Eliza Quigley, Marblehead
D: Caitlin McBride, Beverly
G: Aly Hopkins, Marblehead
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Kick Saves, a column on North Shore girls hockey, appears in The Salem News every other Thursday during the winter season. Contact Matt Williams at MWilliams@salemnews.com, 978-338-2669 and follow him on Twitter @MattWilliams_SN.
