Alumni Cup Hockey Tournament

The Lynnfield Pioneers aren't flashing peace. Far from it actually.

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A year removed from completely missing the tournament - the Pio's walked back into the Hallenborg Pavillion, took no prisoners and walked out of the building with a 5-0 record and their 2nd Alumni Cup title. It will be the first time in tournament history that a team has won multiple titles. Market Street has to be sick of these guys already.

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Pio-Mania began Saturday afternoon as they had a rematch with the team they had played late Friday night, Arlington Catholic. During their Friday tilt, the two teams went to overtime, but this wouldn't be needed in the Final Four round. Both teams played a chess match early on and it took a second intermission speech from Jon Gardner to get the boys going. "He is great for the team. Great motivator and the guys feed off him," said Lynnfield goalie Joe Bassi. "He's the coach of the Lynnfield High hockey team and he's the leader in our clubhouse as well," said Bassi. With the score 2-1 after the second period the Pioneers scored almost immediately after the Gardner pep talk going up 3-1 and never looking back.

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It was now time to take on a team they have several times in the past, but this time with everything on the line. The Pio's now had a day-date with the Woburn Tanners.

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The Tanners who finished (4-1) in the tournament were coming off an amazing win against powerhouse Malden Catholic. The Tanners were tabbed the favorites to win the tournament as the Pio's remained under the radar. Over the past few years however, the Pioneers had absolutely owned the Tanners - so this matchup was destined to happen again.

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The peanut gallery was in full effect and they boys were buzzing for the Alumni Cup finals. Lynnfield struck first late in the first period as eventual Most Valuable Player, Ryan Smith scored for the Pioneers. Bassi was able to stop a late flurry of chances from Woburn at the end of the period and it stayed 1-0 Lynnfield after one.

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The second period kicked off and the Yano led Tanners found some life. Yano fed Dan Holland midway through the period to tie the game at 1-1 and give the favorites some momentum. That would be short lived though as a PIOMANIA howitzer found its way in the back of the net to take the 2-1 lead. As the second period wound down it was Tanner Time once again as they tied the score at 2-2 and that set the stage for the third period.

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"WHO WANTS THE CUP?" - chanted the 17 fans on hand.

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The Tanner fans however were forced to leave early as Dan Gordon reverted to 2017 form scoring two late goals including an empty netter to ice the victory for his team and to make Alumni Cup history. Along with Gordon, linemate Ryan Smith was a delight to watch over the week. Smith led the team in scoring and had some huge goals for his squad in route to winning his first MVP Award.

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