PEABODY – Peabody/Lynnfield/North Reading girls hockey coach Michelle Roach knows her squad will need to withstand just about the best version of Winthrop any time the Northeastern Hockey League rivals clash.

Behind a 12-save third period from star goalie Alyse Mutti (23 saves) and a second-period goal from Ava Buckley, the No. 5 Tanners (6-0-1) got just enough to edge out a 1-0 win over the Vikings Wednesday night.

Winthrop (4-1-1) surged to challenge Mutti and the defense several times across all three periods, but PLNR held on for a notable win in league play.

“We know that they are very physical, they’re well-coached, they play well, they’re fast, and we were able to come out and adjust to that,” Roach said. “I’m overall really happy with the way we played, and I thought as the periods went on, we got stronger. This is a huge league matchup for us, so to be able to pull ahead of the league race is also really great.

“This is a game of its own,” she continued. “They play in the fall together, they’ve played for years together. So, the teams, very well, know each other. We’re friends with the coaching staff, and so, this one for us is kind of a barn burner. We know everyone’s going to show up for this game.”

Gradual improvement as the game went on characterized much of the win for the Tanners, which started a bit slow with a 6-2 shots-on-goal disadvantage after the first period. Roach talked over several adjustments heading into the second, and PLNR responded by jumping out to a shot advantage as high as 7-1 in the frame.

Riley Towse (15 saves) played well for the Vikings, and the defense in front of her clogged up PLNR’s attack. But a pass off the boards got to Buckley behind the defense in the second period, and she sniped the game’s lone goal just 3:13 into the frame.

“The big message between periods was we need to make fast decisions, fast passes and our shots – on the stick, off the stick,” Roach said. “In order to beat (Towse), you’ve got to catch her off guard. … It was good we were able to get (Buckley) behind them.”

Peabody/North Reading/Lynnfield’s Vanessa Steinmeyer (20) shoots on Winthrop’s Riley Towse (49) during the second period. PLNR earned a 1-0 win. (Photo By Matt Stone/Boston Herald)

Defense also played well for PLNR, showcasing its depth to go long stretches without allowing shots on Mutti. But when Winthrop did get shots on goal, they came in large bunches.

In the first period, a shot hit the post and Amelia Spencer’s bid on a turnover in front was gloved by Mutti. She then kick-saved a bid late in the second period that the Vikings grabbed and wrapped around to the other doorstep, but the senior followed it as part of a four-save final two minutes of the frame.

Action sped way up in the third as teams traded bids early. Mutti prevented a neutralizer with a four-save penalty kill midway through the period. And as the Vikings’ speed generated a few rushes in the charged-up final frame, Mutti kept her poise to maintain the shutout.

“She’s the backbone of the team, we just gave her the player of the game puck,” Roach said. “She’s able to set the tone, take control, and she does it with such confidence, such poise. … I can’t say enough great things about her play and how much of a leader she is on this team.”

Winthrop’s Francesca Indrisano, bottom, and Peabody/North Reading/Lynnfield’s Vanessa Steinmeyer collide during the first period in Peabody. (Photo By Matt Stone/Boston Herald)