THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JAnUAry 3, 2025 Page 13 Three towns, one team: Peabody-SaugusSwampscott hockey on the rise By Dom Nicastro T he Peabody/Saugus/ Swampscott boys varsity hockey team is off to an exciting start this season with a 2-2 record, showcasing their offensive firepower and resilience. This newly formed cooperative program, which includes players from Swampscott for the first time after two seasons of Peabody-Saugus, adds depth and diversity to a roster that already features a strong core from Peabody and Saugus. The addition of Swampscott has created a well-rounded and united team, and head coach Jason Marshall is thrilled with the dynamic. “The kids came in with a great mentality,” said Marshall. “They saw the potential during tryouts, and everyone has bought into what we’re trying to achieve. It’s been phenomenal.” ASKS | FROM PAGE 3 stronger our community will be. Closing This has been a difficult time for me and my family, having lost my mother this month. We sincerely appreciate the outpouring of love and support given to us by our Saugus family. For 2025, I wish everyone good health, much success, and good fortune in everything you do. God bless. Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Jeffrey Cicolini I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy and safe new year. As we head into 2025 I am encouraged and optimistic that the economy will prosper and the cost of living will become less burdensome on our residents. Inflation has had a crippling effect on many residents who live on a fixed income Marshall was quick to highlight the contributions of Saugus players, including sophomore Artie O’Leary, who has emerged as a key offensive weapon. O’Leary has two goals and three assists in the first four games. Fellow Saugus sophomore Demetri Breton (goal, assist) and freshman Jake Kelley (goal, assist) have been getting significant ice time and delivering results. Kelley and O’Leary compose a team line with Peabody junior Brandon Barone (three goals, three assists). “Artie and Jake and Brandon Barone are getting great offensive chances,” said Marshall. “I consider them a second first line. Demetri is centering our third line and has already scored a goal. These guys are stepping up and showing they belong.” The coach also mentioned Saugus junior Larry Barwhether it be social security, pensions or disability. It is important to note the town is doing everything we can to alleviate the burden on our residents. Our administration is very conservative and does not overspend our budget. The town hired many key positions (that were budgeted for) in 2024 including for example, a new town engineer, an assistant town planner, a communications director to improve our communications with the residents, additional police and fire and additional manpower added to the DPW. The key is to find the balance on what positions are absolutely critical and what ones are more of a want than a need. This helps us maintain our successful track record of being able to add to the town’s stability reserves so we can maintain our stellar AA+ bond rating that saves our residents millions on the cost of our borrowings. As for a goal or new year’s rows and Saugus sophomore Brayden Verone are expected to see more action soon as they continue to develop their skills. The team’s season opened with a thrilling 6-4 win over Masconomet, where senior captain Tyson Higgins (two goals, five assists) was a force. Higgins, a seasoned forward from Peabody, has been a standout performer, showcasing his two-way abilities and offensive creativity. “Tyson’s offensive skills have grown every year,” said Marshall. “He’s making plays that are just incredible to watch.” In the team’s most recent game, a dominant 10-0 victory over Lynn in the Lynn Christmas Tournament, underclassmen like Swampscott junior Ryan Frary (goal, four assists) and Barone broke through with their first goals of the season. This win followed tough losses to Chicopee (6-5) and St. resolution for 2025 to make our town even better, that is a tough one to choose. One side of me would like to see our town further unite and stop the negativity and the divide that exists as we are all one community and we don’t have to agree on everything, but we can do so without name calling, hurtful words and making false allegations. Life is too short. Everyone should step back and smell the roses and be appreciative that we live in such a wonderful community filled with so many things to be thankful for. One additional goal for 2025 is I would like to see finalization on our 3rd fire station assessment so the voters can decide once and for all if this is a project they support. If so, I am hoping we can move full steam ahead with this project. I also am very excited to see additional investments in our parks and playgrounds that are slated for 2025 most notably GoldBernard’s (4-3), both of which were closely contested. Here’s a look at some of the team’s top performers so far: Nick Muse (Peabody senior): 11-1-12. Tyson Higgins (Peabody senior captain): 2-5-7. Brandon Barone (Peabody junior): 3-3-6. Artie O’Leary (Saugus sophomore): 2-3-5 Ryan Frary (Swampscott junior): 1-4-5. In net, junior Dom Pappalardo (four games, 2.87 GAA, .900 save percentage) from Swampscott has been stellar, stepping up as the primary goaltender with Peabody junior Evan Tybinkowski sidelined by injury. Pappalardo’s performances have earned him praise from Marshall. “Dom has been phenomenal,” Marshall said. “He’s taking on extra minutes and has looked outstanding. Having two strong goalies is a great problem to have. I told them en Hills and Stackpole are the 2 that are next on the list. When I travel around town it is amazing to see the investments that have been made namely the new Christie Serino stadium and field at the new HS/MS complex, Bristow Park, Veterans Memorial school park, Basketball courts on Central St., new tennis courts and tot park at Belmonte, the new pickleball courts and street hockey rink at Anna Parker. It has been truly amazing to see all that has been done by this administration....teamwork and collaboration are the key to our success in Saugus!!! I am very proud to be a 4th generation Saugonian!! Selectman Anthony Cogliano For me, the biggest story for Saugus residents and our Country as a whole, is the return of President Trump to the Oval office. After four years of open borSelectman Corinne Riley Regarding top stories, I think that 2024 has been a relatively quiet year, which isn’t a bad thing. Stories that do come ASKS | SEE PAGE 14 both going into the season. I feel very comfortable with them.” With Peabody as the program’s base, the cooperative effort aims to create a family-like atmosphere for all players. The new jerseys, featuring all three towns’ names, symbolize this unity, according to the coach. For Saugus hockey fans, the development of young talent is an exciting glimpse into the program’s bright future. “In the end, it’s all about one program and one shared goal,” said Marshall. “We’re aiming for the NEC title and a strong tournament run.” The Peabody/Saugus/ Swampscott team was scheduled to face Everett on New Year’s Day at home, followed by a tough matchup against defending Division 3 champions Marblehead Saturday, Jan. 4 (6 p.m.) at the O’Keefe Athletic Center at Salem State University. ders, and the failed economic policies of the Biden Administration, enough was finally enough. The voters of Saugus got it right on November 5, 2024 and January 20, 2025 can’t come soon enough. As someone who always encourages people to get involved in town government, I look forward to seeing some new faces with new ideas vying for seats come November. As for me, I’ve been on the Board for 16 years and haven’t made up my mind if I will seek another term. However, as long as I’m here I will always do my best for our residents and look forward to the challenges ahead. Happy New Year to all.
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