By Mike Rubin

After a promising start, the Somerville High School boys hockey team suffered a bit of a setback. Despite a solid effort, the Highlanders suffered a tough 6-3 defeat to Beverly in Wednesday night’s match-up at the Somerville Rink. With the loss, the Highlanders currently stand at 2-1 overall.

In the first period, the Panthers grabbed a 1-0 lead as Andrew Irving scored off a pass from Mitch Hamor.

It stayed that way until both teams erupted for three goals apiece. Tying the contest, the Highlanders connected on their first goal of the night as Dan Camara scored off a pair of assists from Dave Cooper and John Wallace. Minutes later, the Panthers regained the lead as Mitch Hamor scored off an unassisted opportunity.

Only 55 seconds later, the Highlanders retied the contest at 2-2 as Wallace connected off a centering pass from Camara. It didn’t stay tied for long as Hamor added his second goal of the night, scoring off assists from Andrew and Connor Irving.

The Panthers added an insurance goal seconds later off the ensuing face-off as Ryan Caley scored on a slap shot from the point, increasing the lead to 4-2.

With 2:33 remaining in the period, the Highlanders trimmed the gap within one on a goal by Tyler Anderson. Off a pass from Cooper, Anderson lifted a shot that landed in the back of the net, cutting the lead to 4-3.

With the contest hanging in the balance, the Panthers added a pair of goals in the final seconds by Kevin Lally and Hamor.

“It was a back and forth kind of game, and then they (Beverly) were able to pull it off in the end,” said coach Chuck Allen. “We still need to work on our defensive coverage in the zone, and we need to find ways to step up. We can’t be turning the puck over in the zone and generate scoring opportunities for the other teams. We have a lot of work to do.”