PEMBROKE – In a key Patriot League matchup, Scituate held on to a 3-1 boys hockey victory over rival Hanover with most of the fireworks coming early.

Other than captain Luke Ryan’s empty netter to seal things up with 1:10 remaining, three of the four goals came in the first 13 minutes.

The Sailors (9-2) received first-period goals from Theodore Hare and the eventual game-winner from sophomore Owen Lochiatto.

“Our plan with (Hanover) was literally to try and weather the early storm because they come out hard. We are not traditionally a team that comes out hard in the first, but we challenged them to come out hard in the first period,” said Scituate head coach Brian Hurcombe. “We responded well when they scored.”

Hanover dominated puck possession early with five shots on goal in the first four minutes and finally broke the scoreless tie with a power-play goal from Ryan Kisiel off assists from Henry Phillips and Cam Scott at 9:07 of the first.

Hanover was in control, but Hare took the puck just outside the crease from an assist from Ryan for the equalizer at 11:11. Lochiatto put things in hand for the Sailors with a blast at 13:43 to head into the lockers for the second period.

While the second period was scoreless, there was plenty of action as sophomore Mark Francis also settled in for Scituate and stopped eight shots on goal in the period and finished with 22 saves to keep Scituate in the hunt for the Patriot League title.

Hanover (5-3-4) has had multiple close games go down to the wire. Hare and Ryan each finished with a goal and an assist, while Cole Ryan got credited with two helpers on the first two goals for the Sailors.

“We got some bounces early to take the 2-1 lead and that first period proved to be the difference,” said Hurcombe.  “We played really well in the third and brought the physicality, we brought more than we have all year, and Hanover is really skilled, and they are a really good team.”