Underdog Stoneham Hockey Takes Aim At North Reading

At this point it doesn't matter that Stoneham didn't expect to be playing hockey on March 7. And it certainly doesn't matter that North Reading was the No. 2 seed in the Division 2 North field. What's important is what's going to take place when the puck drops at the Tsongas Center Tuesday at 7:30 in the sectional semifinals.

No. 2 seed North Reading (16-2-3) advanced to the semifinals with a heart stopping 1-0 affair that was settled in the second overtime on Jim Doran's goal with 3.2 seconds to play. It was the second straight year that the two teams played to an overtime result. In the same game last winter, L-S won 5-4 in overtime.

No. 11 seed Stoneham (12-8-2) has had to work a little harder in the postseason, winning a first-round game 5-2 over Tewksbury before beating No. 3 seed Danvers, 4-0, in the quarterfinals. Peter Barry recorded the shutout over the Falcons with 17 saves. Stoneham scored two first-period goals and relied on Barry and a strong defense to seal the win.

In the other semifinal, Lowell Catholic will face Saugus at 5:30 p.m. The storyline is much the same here, with LC the top seed and Saugus the No. 12 seed. The semifinal winners return to Lowell Monday for the North final.