PEMBROKE - Hanover would have been just happy going into the first intermission with its 1-0 lead yesterday against Scituate.
But when the Indians offense exploded late in the first period, they were overjoyed.
Hanover scored three times in a span of 1:19 near the end of the opening stanza to seize complete control and cruised to a 5-1 win over its Patriot League rival at Hobomock Arena.
“I think it was really that second goal that really got us going,” said senior captain Zach Taylor, who had a goal in the spurt. “Getting a good lead and then we just kept going, firing the puck on net and burying them.”
After Manning Morris opened the scoring for Hanover (6-0-1), its offense kicked into high-gear with 2:19 left in the first period.
That’s when Connor Morris put home a rebound before Tyler Martin’s wrister found the back of the net for another goal 45 seconds apart.
Hanover wasn’t done as Connor Morris found Taylor in front of the net 34 seconds later and Taylor went top shelf for a 4-0 lead.
Taylor was in on Hanover’s final goal, which came early in the third period after Liam Walsh connected with Ryan Harrigan for Scituate’s lone tally.
Taylor set up Lucas Lanagan for a goal on a two-on-one opportunity to cap Hanover’s impressive performance and send Scituate (3-5-1) spiraling to its fifth straight loss.
While Hanover had five different goal-scorers, its top line of Taylor, Lanagan and Connor Morris - each with a goal and two assists - made the difference.
“They’re throwing pucks to where they anticipate the other kid to be,” said Hanover coach Jonny Abban. “It’s good to see. With them setting the tone, that’s what we’re looking for.”
