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Morandi's shutout leads North Andover

Monday, January, 25 By Jeff Hamrick

TEWKSBURY — In hockey parlance, it’s called standing on your head.

In laymen’s terms, North Andover goalie Tyler Morandi just stopped pucks, posting his second shutout of the season in a 2-0 victory over Andover last night at Breakaway Ice Center. It was the fourth consecutive victory for the Scarlet Knights (8-3-1).

“He played great,” North Andover coach Brian Keenan said. “Tyler’s come up huge for us all year long. At the beginning of the year, I told him ‘I’m not going to talk to you until you screw up.’ And I haven’t had to talk to him yet.”

Morandi, who had 48 saves — 36 in the first two periods, got all the help he needed when Tyler Sifferlin scored an unassisted goal with 3 minutes left in the first period. The eight grader’s 10th goal of the season came from a tough angle on the left boards.

The Scarlet Knights added an insurance goal midway through the final period when Daniel Rivet stole a pass at the blue line and set up Christian Kalil, who’s rocket trickled off the shoulder of Andover goalie Kyle Berthiaume.
“We keep telling him to put pucks on the net,” Keenan said of the senior Kalil, who also has 10 goals on the season. “He’s got a phenomenal wrist shot.”

Losing for the fourth time in its past six outings, Andover (5-6-3) continued it’s struggles offensively. The Golden Warriors have won only two of their past 11 matches, which include three ties, while scoring two goals or fewer nine times.

“We’re struggling to find the net,” North Andover coach Mario Martiniello said. “(Last night) we only got a couple of second-shot opportunities. (Morandi) did a good job covering the puck. The puck’s just not bouncing for us. The kids obviously have their head down right now, but you just have to keep plugging.”

With three weeks left in the regular season, North Andover should be optimistic. Entering the Andover game, the Scarlet Knights had scored at least five goals in their previous three games, and three or more in each of their past five.

“It’s just a win,” Keenan said. “We’re looking to finish the season off strong. This is the time of year you want to get hot going into the playoffs. We haven’t earned the right to be in the playoffs yet, but if we keep on playing the way we are, it shouldn’t be a problem.”