2011 - 2012 - Game Reports

January 2, 2012

Strangie's hat trick powers Danvers over Peabody
By Jean DePlacido

SALEM — Mike Clifford gave so much of his time and energy to both Danvers and Peabody High hockey it was only fitting that a very large crowd filled Salem State's Rockett Arena for the first annual Mike Clifford Memorial Game. The New Year's Eve matinee was won by Danvers, 4-1, and the Falcons were presented the game's memorial plaque by the Clifford family at the conclusion thanks to junior center Joe Strangie's hat trick.
 
"We wanted to win this game for our coaches because Mr. Clifford had coached all of them," said Strangie, who also scored three goals in the final game of last season and has a team-leading nine in six games this year. "It's always a big rivalry any time we face Peabody, so it's nice to bring the plaque back to Danvers for a year.
 
"My line (with A.J. Couto and D.J. Hodgkins on the wings) has been playing well lately. In the first few games we were a little inconsistent, but we're much better now. I got some real nice passes from both Couto and Hodgkins today. I just tried to get quick shots off and get the puck up because their goalie (Joe Powers) was going down."
 
The Falcons had a 2-1 lead after a pretty even first period. Strangie, who was deadly in the high slot, scored his first goal eight minutes in and again with just over a minute remaining, but Peabody answered right back 30 seconds later on Eric Costa's goal.
 
It was all Danvers in the middle frame when they outshot the Tanners by a 14-2 margin. The lone goal was scored by Strangie, who was set up in the slot by Couto, and beat Powers on a high shot at the 13:20 mark. Peabody was lucky to trail by only two heading into the final period, thanks to the goaltending of Powers.
 
"We played well, and I'm happy for the team victory," said Falcons coach Kevin Brown, his team now 4-2. "I thought we were pretty consistent and played hard. We were OK in the first period, but not good enough because Peabody plays at a good compete level. They work hard, and they keep battling; Mark Leonard (Tanner coach) does a nice job with them."
 
Clifford was an assistant coach in Danvers for 20 years and prior to that spent 16 in Peabody. During the game raffles were held to benefit the Mike Clifford Scholarship Fund, and a player from each team will be awarded a scholarship at the end of the season.
 
"Mike meant so much to both programs," said Brown. "This is a great tradition that will continue in his name. I played for Mike and then coached with him. He was a tremendous guy, and I'm happy to see such a great crowd here for him."
 
The Tanners fought all the way to the end, but a high floater from center ice by Danvers defenseman Kevin Anderson fooled Powers and gave the Falcons a three-goal lead four minutes into the final frame. Peabody had some tough luck, hitting a crossbar and two posts. In the late going Matt McIsaac and Derek DeMild rang shots off the post.
 
"We were all over them trying to cut into the lead, and that fourth one was a big goal," said Tanner coach Mark Leonard, his team now 2-3. "Joe made some nice saves, but I'm sure that's one he'd love to have back. Danvers is a good team that works extremely hard, and those kids are unselfish. I coached them all summer, and I root for them to win all year — except when they play the Tanners."
 
Danvers senior goalie Steve Wilkinson wasn't as busy as Powers, but made several key saves including a big stop on Mike Vadala on a three-on-one breakaway late in the first period. He also denied a shorthanded bid by Costa and Mike Chiappini early in the middle period when the Tanners only trailed by a goal. Costa made a great pass to Chiappini, who was alone in front of the net, but Wilkinson turned the shot aside.