HPNA rallies in third interval to defeat Billerica/Chelmsford

HAVERHILL — Halfway by the season, it appears the HPNA women hockey group has developed right into a third-period stalwart.

Senior Mia Kmiec scored twice in a three-goal closing body Wednesday evening, lifting No. 4 HPNA (10-1-2) to a 3-0 win over No. 15 Billerica/Chelmsford in a signature MVC/DCL Giant matchup at Veterans Memorial Skating Rink.

The Lindians (6-3-2) led shots-on-goal 15-8 over the primary two intervals and generated a handful of Grade-A appears to be like. However HPNA, which edged out a wild, comeback win over No. 14 Malden Catholic within the third interval on Monday, flipped the swap within the closing body to comb the common season sequence in opposition to Billerica/Chelmsford.

“Initially of the season, (we had been) undoubtedly not a third-period group,” Kmiec mentioned. “We began choosing it up. We’ve had loads of video games the place we haven’t scored an excessive amount of or produced within the first and second, after which we realized we simply need to sustain the work. … We went into the locker room after the second and all of us sort of (mentioned) we’ve acquired to maintain our heads up and maintain our momentum.”

Inside a 7-4 benefit in photographs over the past quarter-hour, Kmiec scored the game-winning objective with 6:51 left. Charlotte Woodford added insurance coverage lower than two minutes in a while a rebound, and Kmiec iced the sport with simply 46 seconds left.

“It’s enjoyable, they’re actually beginning to imagine in one another,” HPNA head coach Gary Kane mentioned of one other robust end within the third interval. “It’s enjoyable to see them now sort of develop up into the sport. … That was an enormous character win final recreation in opposition to Malden Catholic, and you can sort of see them persist with the plan.”

The Lindians began the sport in a fury, accruing a 6-0 lead in photographs over the primary 5 minutes. They excelled to find cutters to the center for Grade-A appears to be like, however HPNA goalie Chris Hinchcliffe (19 saves) was regular between the pipes for her fourth shutout this yr.

Her robust efficiency continued with an eight-save second, denying Billerica/Chelmsford from taking the lead whereas HPNA was restricted on the assault. The outing provides to what’s been a powerful yr, filling the footwear of former star goalie Julianna Taylor.

“It’s been wonderful (to see her step into the function) because the begin of the season,” Kane mentioned. “They had been swarming. … She’s acquired actually good imaginative and prescient, and she or he’s actually fast.”

“She’s all the time wonderful,” Kmiec added. “You’re feeling secure having her again there. Our protection is wonderful, however you additionally know that you would be able to depend on (Hinchcliffe).”

After all it was the senior captain who gave HPNA the primary and solely lead of the sport in third interval.

Keira Hegarty set her up with an amazing cross from the nook to Kmiec in entrance, and she or he buried the objective.

“It’s very easy when you’ve a group to carry one another up,” Kmiec mentioned. “I couldn’t have performed that with out Keira, that cross was superior.”

Billerica/Chelmsford successfully blocked many photographs from the purpose within the first two intervals, taking away a key a part of HPNA’s assault. However Savannah Bissonnette acquired one by to Taylor Bierschied in entrance, who tipped it off Lindians goalie Gianna Cedrone (12 saves). The rebound sat within the crease, and Woodford completed it off with 5:03 left.

Kmiec’s shot from the precise circle sealed a high quality displaying.