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Sifferlen hat trick leads North Andover past Pentucket

Friday, February, 06 By Mike Abelson
Staff writer

HAVERHILL — Two days, two big 5-2 victories, and two hat tricks from Ryan Sifferlen have North Andover rolling.

“He’s playing very well right now,” said North Andover coach Denis Barrette. “He is peaking at the right time.”

Sifferlen’s three goals included a shorthanded, empty-net goal with 51 seconds left to ice the Knights’ win over Pentucket-Georgetown last night.

North Andover began early when Ryan Gillespie put one by Pentucket goalie Andrew Mueskes 3:44 into the game. Sifferlen netted his first after maneuvering through the Sachem defense four minutes later.

Jack Hyman assisted on both of the goals en route to four assists on the night.

“I like to put the team ahead of myself,” said Hyman. “He’s a scorer, so when I see him open I don’t hog the puck to myself. He knows how to put it in the net.”

The Knights doubled their lead in the second period on Sifferlen’s second goal and an unassisted goal by Brian Amor.

“It was disappointing,” said Pentucket-Georgetown coach Bill Burns. “But the boys played a good second and third period, and they started to put a few things together.”

Sachems freshman Ryan McCarthy ended the shutout on the power play four minutes into the third.

“We’re a young club and we’re still learning,” said Burns. “We’ve got a ways to go, but we are getting there. I’m proud of them.”

Pentucket-Georgetown added what looked to be its second goal on another power play three minutes later, but it was called off due to an apparent high stick.

“It looked like it was OK to me,” said Burns.

Mac Cavanaugh scored for the Sachems with 1:36 remaining, but Sifferlen’s empty netter, the 84th-goal of his career, dashed all hopes of a comeback.