The Fisherman boys hockey team suffered a tough defeat to their rivals, the Danvers Falcons, on Saturday afternoon. However, the drastic 7-2 loss didn’t come from lack of skill, but rather lack of players.

The game started slow, as Gloucester was unable to score in the entire first period. In the second period, junior Chris Noyes managed to put the puck in the net to put the team on the board. Noyes scored again, assisted by senior Eric Chalmers, late in the second to give Gloucester its final goal of the game.

Junior goalie Max Churchill made a total of thirteen saves, while junior Nathan Noonan stepped up to give Gloucester nine more saves.

“Once we get everyone back, we’ll improve dramatically,” said head coach Sean Lyons. “The younger kids will get the opportunity to stay in the line up. The experienced players we have returning will lead us into another successful playoff season.”

With ten players on the bench unable to play for various reasons, the underclassman laden team had to compete without many of its starters. Both of Gloucester’s captains are out with injuries. Seniors Sal Costanzo and Liam Lyons both suffered shoulder injuries in their last game against the Beverly Panthers.

Head coach Sean Lyons hopes to see Costanzo back on the ice in time for their next game, but Lyons may not be back in action before the annual Bank Gloucester Holiday Tournament.

The other remaining eight players are unable to play due to various suspensions. Six players were recently suspended for five games for participating in a fight that broke out in the GHS parking lot shortly after Gloucester’s Thanksgiving Day football game.

According to Coach Lyons, this is the first time he’s had suspended players in his ten years of coaching.

“It’s the culture of student athletes,” said Lyons. “They need to be more aware of the consequences for their inappropriate actions. I just think student athletes are not making sound decisions when not on the ice.”

Gloucester’s next game will be held at the Dorothy Talbot Rink on Wednesday. The Fisherman will be taking on the Swampscott Big Blue at 6:30pm.