ARLINGTON — Led by two goals from senior Nolan Russell and a strong performance in net by senior John Snider, the Spy Ponders secured a 4-0 win over the Rockets on Saturday and improved to 6-2 overall and 2-1 within the Middlesex Liberty Division.

The matchup featured two of the top public boys’ hockey programs in the state, with Reading entering as the No. 6 team in Division 1 while Arlington was No. 7 in the MIAA’s first winter power rankings. Spy Ponders head coach John Messuri said his team was motivated for the matchup and knew the Rockets would be a big test.

“All of the Middlesex League games are hard,” Messuri said. “Reading is always a special game because you get two traditional programs and everybody just plays and competes.”

The opening period saw Arlington outshoot Reading, 10-7, and fire some high-quality opportunities on Rockets goaltender J.T. Coyne. One notable chance came late in the period from Dylan Dinucci, who beat Coyne with a backhander, but the shot dinged off the post.

Arlington goalie John Snider defends the net during the third period of a boys ice hockey game against Reading Memorial, Saturday, in Arlington. (Mark Stockwell/Boston Herald)

Messuri said his team came out ready to play because they were aware of the quality opponent that Reading (4-1-1) is.

“We want to start the periods quickly, in particular against Reading because they start so fast,” Messuri said. “If you’re not ready to go against Reading, you’re in trouble.”

The second period featured another strong start from Arlington that quickly resulted in a goal. Senior Drew Beck cut toward the net and fired a shot on Coyne and a crashing Evan Raab fired the rebound into the net.

“The first goal, especially in front of a home crowd is incredible,” Beck said. “Breaking that 0-0 tie starts up everything from there. All the pressure we had, it just got us ready to go.”

Minutes later, Russell rushed the puck from center ice and floated a backhander on net that hit off a Rocket defender and into the net to give Arlington a two-goal lead.

“At first I couldn’t believe it went in,” Russell said. “It’s a great lift off your shoulders, especially in a close game.”

That would be the extent of the scoring in the middle frame and Reading started to gain some momentum in the third with multiple high-danger chances. However, Snider was not fazed and continued to make saves to keep his team in the lead.

“Whenever (the puck) comes at me, I have to make the play,” Snider said. “It was a full team effort, the ‘D’ stood on their heads today, and so did the offense.”

Arlington’s Seamus Sullivan, left, and Reading Memorial’s Brendan MacCurtain, right, collide chasing the puck during the first period of a boys ice hockey game, Saturday, in Arlington. (Mark Stockwell/Boston Herald)

The Rockets pulled their goalie late in the period, and Spy Ponders defenseman Evan Sparks fired a full-ice shot into the vacant net to give Arlington a 3-0 lead. Russell added the final insurance goal a few seconds later to secure the victory over the previously undefeated rival.

“We have a fire inside of us,” Russell said. “We are ready to come and take down any team that is in front of us.”