FALL RIVER - Bobby Trudeau had a goal and an assist to help the Norton High ice hockey team edge past non-league Durfee Thursday night, 3-2 the final at Driscoll Arena.
Trudeau's goal came midway through the third period, with the Lancers shorthanded, and proved to be the game-winner. The Lancers (5-3-2) led 2-0 in the second period and 3-1 late in the third period, but had to weather a surge by the Hilltoppers in the final minutes.
After a scoreless first, Tony Cerce opened the scoring with 4:32 elapsed in the second, John Giguere assisting. Giguere picked up an assist on Norton's second goal to make it 2-0 midway through the period. Giguere got the puck to Trudeau, who worked a nice give-and-go with Brendan Heayden for the goal. Durfee made it 2-1 after two periods thanks to a goal with 6:51 left.
The Lancers regained their two-goal lead at the seven-minute mark of the third period, Trudeau beating three Durfee defenders and scoring five-hole on the shorthanded rush. Durfee made it 3-2 with 4:30 left and pressured late with the net empty at the other end, but Norton goalie Clint Gallagher was equal to the task.
Gallagher finished with 16 saves on 18 shots over the second and third periods for Norton. Triton DosReis started the game in goal for the Lancers, stopping all six shots he saw in the first period.
"They had some chances there in the end, a flurry of shots, but we were able to get out of there with the win," noted Norton coach Kyle Heagney. "I though Giguere had one of his best games of the season and Trudeau had a good game. And I can't say enough about Brendan Heayden, for an eighth grader he's really developing nicely, shows great skating ability and has great hockey IQ."
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Next: Dover-Sherborn - 4 Norton - 0
Previous: Norton- 2 Foxboro - 2
