2011 - 2012

Varsity Final Record
16 - 6 - 0

Prior Game
March 2, 2012
Danvers 0
North Andover 1

Next Game
December 2012

2011 - 2012
JV Final Record
8 - 4 - 3

February 8, 2012

Statement Made, Series Swept
Irving's 5 points, Biarelli's 34 saves help Beverly snap Danvers' 10-game win streak
 
SALEM — They moved the puck well. They won the 1-on-1 battles, cashed in on their offensive opportunities and watched as their freshman goaltender came up with big save after big save.
 
But most of all, the Beverly High hockey team made a statement last night.
 
"A huge statement," emphasized sophomore center Connor Irving, who scored two goals and assisted on three others as the Panthers won their sixth straight contest and qualified for the postseason with a thorough 5-2 dismantling of Danvers before a packed house at the Rockett Arena.
 
Irving — whose five points gave him 41 on the season — and his linemates Brenden Mitchell (2 goals, 2 assists) and freshman left wing Ryan Santo (goal, 2 assists) dominated at times as Beverly (10-5-1) snapped Danvers' 10-game winning streak.
 
In doing so, they completed a season sweep of the Falcons while outscoring their age-old rivals by a combined 11-4.
 
"People forget we're streaking, too ... we're really picking it up lately. We really, really wanted this one."
 
The Panthers played like that, too. They jumped out to a 3-0 lead after one period despite being hemmed in their own zone for a majority of the first 15 minutes; answered both Danvers goals with two of their own in the middle frame; and locked down defensively in the third period behind goalie Tim Biarelli (34 saves), particularly over the final 10 minutes as the Falcons (12-3) desperately looked for an offensive spark that they were never able to find.
 
"We had some great puck movement and put away our chances," said Biarelli. "That, and blocking shots and clearing the puck."
 
Beverly's win, coupled with Saugus' loss to Winthrop (3-0) last night, leaves the Northeastern Conference North title chase wide open as teams head into the homestretch. Danvers (10-2 NEC, 20 points) still leads the way, followed by Saugus and Winthrop (8-2-2 each, 18 points), while Beverly (7-4, 14 points) remains in the hunt and has four league games remaining while the other three squads have three.
 
"We said in the (locker) room that this would be a five-round fight," said Danvers head coach Kevin Brown, referring to the league games each team will be playing down the regular season homestretch. "In that regard I credit Beverly; they won this battle and did more things right than us. Their coaches had an excellent game plan and their players executed it."
 
That game plan was plainly evident: put a body on Danvers' best offensive player, junior center Joe Strangie, at any and all times in an attempt to take him out of his offensive rhythm. Their defensemen also did an outstanding job of getting the puck up and out of their zone, reversing the disc and making smart D-to-D passes that the Falcons couldn't stop.
 
So while Danvers held a decisive 36-22 shot advantage (and the hosts certainly had some prime scoring chances), Biarelli, the big ninth grader in goal, made all the stops in critical times.
 
"You've got to credit Tim, especially his composure as a freshman," said Irving.
 
"People don't realize how good (Biarelli) is," added Beverly coach Bob Gilligan. "He made one save late while they were on the power play without his stick by going across the crease and just finding a way to stop the puck. That's just what Tim does."
 
Rob Buchanan and captain J.D. Hodgkins both had second period goals for Danvers, slicing their team's deficit each time to two goals. But the Panthers responded quickly on both occasions, with Irving netting his second of the night 85 seconds after Buchanan tallied and Santo burying his second varsity goal a mere 68 seconds after Hodgkins' power play strike.
 
"We just have to stick with what we've been doing that's gotten us to this point," said Brown, whose Falcons have another huge game Saturday night at Saugus (7:10 p.m.). "We've worked hard to get to where we're at, and one game won't change our goals."
 
Beverly will skate as the home team Saturday afternoon (4:30 p.m.) at Salem State against an improving Gloucester (6-6-5) squad.