Killjoy: Prep prevails

LOWELL -- St. John's Prep had trouble staying out of the penalty box in its first-round Super 8 game yesterday at Tsongas Arena against Reading.

But the Rockets had just as much trouble cashing in, failing to convert any power-play attempts in a 5-2 loss to the Eagles.

"The guys kept the game under control and we worked hard on the penalty kill," said St. John's coach Robert Marinelli, specifically referring to a rough second-period stretch when the Eagles got called for three roughing penalties. "I thought our goalie played pretty well, especially in the second period."

Two minutes into the first period, Reading, which dropped to 0-2 in Bracket 2, got on the board when defenseman Travis Busch beat Prep goalie Kyle Pettorutto from in front.

The Eagles retaliated nine seconds later, though, with Luke Miller (three assists) setting up Justin DiRienzo for the equalizer.

"It was a great trade to get a goal like that. We got some energy back," said Marinelli.

Prep, 1-1 in Bracket 2 with a final first-round game left against rival BC High, put itself in a hole with 7:26 left in the opening period, giving the Rockets a 5 on 3 advantage. Miller did a superb job killing off the power play, twice stealing the puck and leading rushes back to the Reading end.

After killing off the penalties, the Eagles (12-4-6) struck at 9:06 to go up, 2-1. Reading goalie Jeff Wyer stopped Steve DiCarlo's shot but the rebound went to Colin Prior and he converted.

The second period belonged to Reading, with help from Prep's march to the penalty box. The Rockets (19-5-0) pressured Pettoruto, putting 14 shots on net, but couldn't tie it.

"We got ourselves in a lot of trouble. There's no counting out with Reading. They never quit," said DiCarlo, who finished with two goals and an assist. "We played our best during possessions on the penalty kills and we got it done [not giving up a goal]."

DiCarlo put the Eagles in control early in the final period, converting a pass from Eric Danilchuk at 1:26 for a 3-1 lead.

But the Eagles gave the Rockets an opportunity again midway through the period after getting whistled for two penalties.

Reading's Patrick Kiley and Robert Toczylowski pressured Pettorutto, but couldn't score on the man advantage. But shortly after the power play ended, Toczylowski scored, to make it 3-2 at 11:44.

But as they did in the first period, the Eagles -- and DiRienzo -- answered quickly, scoring 26 seconds later to restore the two-goal lead.