On paper, the Pinkerton Academy ice hockey team appeared lined up to bag victories over Trinity and Manchester Central contingents that were both saddled with sub-.500 records last week.
And while the Astros did wind up with every reason to be pleased with the 5-1 trouncing they handed the Trinity troop last week, they were fortunate to manage a 4-4 tie with the struggling Central Little Green over the weekend.
The pounding of the 4-10 Pioneers on Pinkerton’s home ice at The Ice Den in Hooksett on Feb. 11 was noteworthy for a number of reasons, not the least of which was a milestone performance from standout senior forward Gio Corsetto.
The skilled veteran potted two of the Astros’ goals – and nabbed the 100th point of his fine PA career – to help his squad up its Division I record to 9-3-2 with its fourth consecutive victory. In hitting that milestone, Corsetto became just the fourth player in program history to tally 100 points.
“I’m real happy for Gio,” said Coach Joey Lee. “He wasn’t aware of his proximity to the benchmark, and once he got his second (goal) of the night we made sure we got the puck and of course let him, his teammates, and our PA hockey supporters know of the admirable milestone. Gio is a talented player, real slippery and decisive, and certainly tough to play against.”
Colin Philippon, Shamus Doherty, and Corsetto all scored in the first period to hand their side a 3-0 lead after 15 minutes of play.
Corsetto and Ryan Monte then each scored once in the second period to put their side up 5-0, but Trinity managed to ice the Astros’ shutout hopes by bagging the lone goal of the third period.
Jordan Puzzo ended up making 23 saves his contribution to the lopsided win.
Then last Saturday, Feb. 14, at The Ice Den, the Astros spent the afternoon mounting comebacks against a Manchester Central squad that came into the day with a 2-10-1 record. In the end, the academy side managed a 4-4 tie.
Central bagged a 1-0 lead 5:50 into the first period, but Pinkerton knotted the score at 1-1 three minutes later when Poole was set up by Reese Popkin and Philippon. However, the Little Green ended up grasping a 2-1 lead after it scored again with 3:39 left in the first stanza.
The Green bumped its advantage up to 3-1 just 2:21 into the second period, but the Astros got goals from Corsetto (assists from Popkin and Zach Pendenza) and Ethan Landry (from Tim Cronin and Tyler Poole) before the stanza was over as the teams headed into period three deadlocked at 3-3.
Central took the lead once again by scoring 12:29 into the third period, but Pinkerton knotted the game tally back up at 4-4 with a mere 54 seconds left to play – and the PA net empty – when Corsetto was set up by Poole.
Astro goalies Brendan Murphy and Puzzo combined to turn aside 28 Central shots.
With only three games left in the season the Astros sit at third at 10-3-2 in the Division 1 standings. Salem (12-0-1) sits on top with Concord (10-3-1) in second.
