Boys split in Jr. Beanpot tourney ...
- LHS Boosters
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Following a frustrating 3–1 loss to Brookline, which included a late empty-net goal, in the opening round of the Travis Roy Jr. Beanpot at BU’s Walter Brown Arena, the Minutemen rebounded with an impressive 3–0 shutout victory over Newton North in the consolation game.
Brookline Game Recap
We call it a frustrating loss because Lexington clearly outplayed Brookline over the first two periods, despite spending nearly 16 minutes shorthanded during that stretch. The Minutemen controlled the play, generated the better scoring chances, and dictated the pace, yet had just one goal to show for it—a Connor O’Leary power-play marker.
Credit Brookline’s goaltender, who made several timely saves to keep the game close after two periods. The puck luck also tilted Brookline’s way. O’Leary rang a shot off the crossbar, and Aaron Yu had a rebound slide untouched through the crease behind the goalie, narrowly staying out. Those coupled with a few other quality chances could have easily had Lexington up 3–0 or 4–0, but on Friday night, the puck gods simply weren’t feeling friendly.
Fast forward to the third period, and Lexington continued to control play until roughly three and a half minutes in, when a costly turnover near the Lexington net changed the game. A Lexington player mishandled the puck and got stripped right next to the goal, sending it directly to a Brookline forward in the slot. Goaltender Timmy Rinaldi made the initial save, but coverage broke down as the weak-side winger prematurely drifted toward the wall for a breakout instead of providing additional support in the slot.
The resulting goal was a completely preventable, self-inflicted mistake that handed Brookline the tying goal—and the momentum. Fueled by the energy of their large student section, Brookline caught another break a few minutes later when a bad bounce off a faceoff scramble went to a Brookline player allowing him to slide a puck five-hole past Rinaldi, giving them a 2–1 lead.
Incredibly, in a game Lexington had largely dominated, the Minutemen suddenly found themselves trailing 2–1. Lexington had several chances to tie the game, including a breakaway opportunity that was turned aside. Ultimately with time winding down and the goalie pulled for an extra attacker, Brookline picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone and sealed the game with an empty-net goal.
It was another winnable game, adding to a growing list of close games—Wilmington, Concord-Carlisle, and Medford (one goal losses)—as well as contests where Lexington was the better team, held the lead, and let it slip away (Cambridge and Brookline).Winning just half of those six close games would have had the team at 5-6 with a lot of winnable games coming up in the back half of the season. Again just a shame because the team deserved some better outcomes. One final note - hat tip to our penalty killers for killing off all eight Brookline power plays - not an east feat!
Newton North Game Recap
The boys burst out of the gate, scoring on their first two shifts (30 seconds and 1:18 into the game) and immediately putting Newton North on its heels. The opening goal came off strong forecheck pressure. Dylan Lane gained control in the neutral zone and, with no rush opportunities or outlets available, dumped the puck deep into the Newton North corner. Kyle Li pressured the Newton North defenseman, forcing the puck up the boards, where Lane retrieved it and moved it back to Kyle Li. Under pressure, Kyle Li slipped the puck back to Lane, who beat the oncoming defender to the puck and quickly redirected it to Ryan Li, who buried the chance from about five feet out.
On the very next shift, Connor O’Leary found a streaking Brady Kingsbury in the neutral zone and hit him in stride with a quick pass, catching the Newton North defender flat-footed. Kingsbury blew past the defenseman, walked in alone, and buried the shot from close range.
Just like that 1:18 into the game and the Minutemen were up 2-0.
The remainder of the first period was uneventful, and the score stayed 2–0 until the second period, when Caleb Fehm ripped a low, hard shot from the point. Brady Kingsbury (2nd goal of the game) got a piece of the puck, redirecting the it between the goalie’s legs to give Lexington a 3–0 lead—a margin that would stand as the final score.
Timmy Rinaldi was strong in net all game, locking things down to secure the win and earning Player of the Game honors.
It was good to see the boys back in the win column, especially after a stretch where they deserved to win a few more!
The boys will look to make it back-to-back wins this Monday at 12:00 PM at Bentley against Newton South, followed by back-to-back tilts at Stoneham Arena—taking on Stoneham Wednesday at 6:00 PM and Wakefield on Saturday at 8:00 PM.
