Oliver Ames Hockey Downs Dennis-Yarmouth, Advances to Sectional Quarter Finals

The Oliver Ames boys' hockey team may have only been hitting on all cylinders during the first and third periods, but that was more than enough Wednesday afternoon at the Gallo Arena in Bourne.

"We’ve been having trouble in the second period all year long," OA coach Jim Sullivan said. "I don’t know what it is but we just can’t play three periods. But, we took the first period, started it off and then finished it off in the third so I’m happy."

The No. 4 Tigers scored twice in the first and twice in the third to beat No. 13 Dennis-Yarmouth in the Div. 2 South Sectional First Round game, 4-1.

With the win, OA will move on to play Coyle Cassidy in the South Sectional Quarterfinals Saturday.

The Tigers overpowered the Dolphins offensively with 28 shots on goal compared to D-Y's 19. They were led by senior captain Sean Kyne, who finished the game with two goals.

"He’s a hustler," Sullivan said. "He’s a digger and gets in the corners to dig it out."

It was Colin Lozzi, with an assist from Tyler Provost, who gave the Tigers to the lead just four minutes in. With two minutes remaining in the period, Kyne found the net with an assist from Andrew Mancini and Justin Davinder.

Dennis-Yarmouth answered in the second period, though. Less than a minute in, D-Y's Tyler Baker scored on the power play with an assist from Adam McClay and Michael Dunn.

The Tigers were unable to muster any offense during the entire middle period.

"We were nervous that whole second period when nothing happened," Sullivan said. "The way we played the first period, if we had come out the second period the same way, it would have been four or six."

Luckily for the Tigers, sophomore goalie Jimmy Tierney and a defense led by Mancini kept D-Y in check for the rest of the period while OA found its mojo offensively.

"He’s a big boy and he plays well," Sullivan said of Mancini. "And, he’s a good kid so I’ll give him some credit. He played well."

OA's Matt Campanella scored less than two minutes into the third period to give the Tigers some insurance. He was assisted by Tim Doherty.

Kyne scored again with two minutes left in the game with an assist from Thomas McNeely and Corey McLaughlin to put things out of reach.

The Tigers will play in their home rink, Asiaf Arena, Saturday. Their opponent, No. 5 Coyle Cassidy, defeated No. 12 Whitman-Hanson Wednesday. The time of the game has yet to be announced.

"We’re ready," Sullivan said. "If we can keep this momentum going we’re all set. We just need to straighten that second period out and play three periods."