Sat. 2/1/20
Prep Highlights of Sat. Feb. 1, 2020
Lovett Scores 2; #4 LA Tops #3 Dexter
Kent's Hoadley Wins it in OT
Gammill Notches 3rd Hat Trick of Season
Cushing Unbeaten Streak Reaches 7
Chen's 2 Goals Lead Mustangs
Hotchkiss, Unbeaten Since December, Rolls On
@ #10 Brunswick 4, Williston 0 -- Three powerplay goals -- two from junior Matthew McGroarty -- and a 20-save shutout from Alexander Rohlf were the keys to the Bruins' fourth straight win. McGroarty (2g,1a), Andon Cerbone (1g,2a), and senior D Jude Brower (3a) led the Brunswick attack.
@ Winchendon 6, Hebron 0 -- In a penalty-filled game, senior G Max Caouette had 31 saves to lead the Wapitis. Offense was led by Nolan McDonough (1g,2a) and Paden Hicks (1g,2a). Winchendon reached the .500 mark (9-9-0) with the win.
@ St. Paul's 4, Belmont Hill 1 -- St. Paul's, with its third straight win, pulled to within a game of .500. This game was closer than the final score indicates, as SPS had a pair of empty-netters in the waning minutes. St. Paul's senior goaltender Charlie Murphy (30/31) earned the win. Belmont Hill junior G Michael Hauswirth (31/33) took the loss.
Rivers 3 @ Middlesex 1 -- Michael McEachern (1g,1a), Mel Mortarelli (1g), and Reid Capello (1g) led the Rivers' offense despite the best efforts of Middlesex junior G Jordan Busner (44/47). Rivers senior G Casen Janko (27/28) earned the win.
Cushing 2 @ Exeter 1 -- Freshman G Jackson Irving stopped 22 of 23 shots to lead the Penguins. Goals were scored by junior F Nick Rheaume and senior D Tim Kippenberger. With the win, Cushing extends its unbeaten streak to seven games (5-0-2). Exeter senior Ryan Welch (25/27) took the hard-luck loss.
@ St. Mark's 4, Tabor 3 (OT) -- Junior Brendan Gibbons (2g,1a) figured in 3 of his team's 4 goals, the biggest of all being his OT game-winner. Dom Murphy and Danny Ciccarello each had a goal and an assist. Senior Will Bundy got the win in the St. Mark's net. Tabor sophomore G Mathew Gover (46/50) took the loss. St. Mark's, now 12-2-1, has won 4 in a row.
#4 Lawrence Academy 6 @ #3 Dexter 2 -- Behind senior C Conor Lovett, who had 2 goals and was a factor every time he stepped on the ice, Lawrence won the rubber match of the season's series. Of course, they could meet a fourth time in the playoffs. (We'll have more on this game tomorrow.)
@ Pomfret 2, Canterbury 2 -- Pomfret soph Declan Chapman lifted Canterbury to the road tie with a late-third-period goal. Goalies were Cal Skwara (41/43) for Canterbury and Andrew Shearson (18/20) for Pomfret.
Kent 5 @ Westminster 4 (OT) -- Lions' senior Jake Hoadley scored an OT goal to put an end to the school's four-game losing streak. Sophomore F Phil Feinburg had 2 goals -- the first of his prep career -- and an assist for Kent. Junior D Nick Marciano had a goal and an assist. Westminster outshot Kent, 45-25.
@ Holderness 2, Kents Hill 0 -- Junior F Eric Charmandy and sophomore F Cooper Belanger scored the goals. The rest was up to freshman G Evan Plunkett (27/27), who recorded his second shutout of the season. Kents Hill senior G Max Macchioni (37/39) was the hard-luck loser.
@ #5 Loomis 4, Andover 1 -- Loomis sophomore G Ethan Roberts turned back 20 of 21 shots and four different scorers found the back of the net. Senior G Charlie Archer (30/34) took the loss for Andover.
Lawrenceville 2 @ Portsmouth Abbey 2 -- Josh Plumb's goal at 10:15 of the third period lifted the Abbey to the 2-2 tie. PA junior G Nate Hopkins (42/44) and L'ville senior G TJ Semptimphelter (31/33) kept their teams close from start to finish.
#9 Hotchkiss 8 @ Deerfield 2 -- Senior G Henry Wilder kicked out 23 of 25 shots and sophomore C Karsen Dorwart (2g,1a) led the scorers. This was the first time this season that the Bearcats have scored more than 5 goaals in any one game. Hotchkiss is 6-1-1 since the start of the new year.
@ Berkshire 7, Albany Academy 1 -- Berkshire forwards Aidan Thompson (1g,4a), Briggs Gammill (3g,1a), Cole Paredes (1g,2a), and sophomore D Nick Donaldson (2a) had mutiple points for the Bears. Gammill had his third hat-trick of the season.Berkshire junior G Nick Baliotti (1.98/.930) kicked out 29 of 30 for the win. Berkshire improves to 11-7-2.
Milton 4 @ Worcester Academy 2 -- Milton's leading scorer, junior center David Chen, scored two goals today to lead the Mustangs.
@ Groton 4, Roxbury Latin 2 -- Groton senior and leading scorer Luke Beckstein (1g,3a) had a hand in all of the Zebras' goals. Senior G Kevin Clark (27/29) got the win. RL senior G Mikey Jones (46/49) was the hard-luck loser. Groton, which has won six in a row, improves to 15-5-0.
@ #7 Kimball Union 5, Tilton 4 -- KUA held a 4-0 lead early in the second period, then Tilton started chipping away, scoring 4 of the next 5 goals. The game winner was a Sullivan Mack SHG midway through the second. In NEPSIHA play, KUA improves to 17-4-1. Tilton falls to 10-5-3.
Sat. 2/29/20 -- Updated 11:55 pm
All the Season's Scores Are In; Playoff Matchups, Too
All scores are in -- Thank you, Coaches! -- and the playoff seedings are final. Quite a bit less final-day drama than most years, I'd say. We are now waiting for NEPSIHA to cross-check them before calling them official. We will let you know.
Update, 11:55 pm -- They are now official.
Sat. 2/29/20
Final Day Notes
Today, on the final day of the regular season, there are still meaningful games to play.
With respect to the Elite 8, while the #8 spot is Berkshire’s to lose, it can be lost if they fall to Gunnery and Cushing takes out Governor’s. In the long shot category, Loomis still has a chance at the #8 seed if they pull off the upset over Avon and both Berkshire and Cushing lose.
KUA, on the other hand, can maintain the #7 seed even with a loss to New Hampton, thanks to their RPI edge over the teams chasing them. An interesting side effect of a Loomis upset over Avon is that it could potentially setup a tasty Elite 8 first round matchup: Salisbury vs. KUA. This matchup could also occur in the event of a Nobles loss (edit: or tie) and a KUA win today, with Avon taking care of business as expected (i.e., Salisbury and KUA as the #3 and #6 seeds respectively).
Assuming that Berkshire holds onto the #8 seed in the Elite 8, the Large School Tournament is set in terms of which teams are in, but there’s plenty of room for shifting around in the group as the RPI differential is quite close in several cases, so home ice isn’t at all set in stone.
For the Small School Tournament, a Proctor loss against Tilton in the Lakes Region Tournament final, combined with a Pomfret win over Williston, would put Pomfret into the final spot. Otherwise, the Small School Tournament is set, but with the same caveat as above in terms of home ice and RPI differential.
Beyond the above scenarios, there’s no “perfect storm” that we’re aware of that will change which teams make the end-of-season tournaments. We haven’t run through all the possibilities, however, so keep an eye on the results as they come in. Playoff seedings will update in real-time; at the end of the day we’ll know for certain who’s in and who’s out.
Enjoy.
-- NC
Fri. 2/28/20 -- Final update: Sat. 2/29/20 at 8:55 pm
Lakes Region & Holt Conference Schedules & Scores
Lakes Region Tournament:
Friday, February 28, 2020
Championship Bracket:
#4 Proctor 3 @ #1 KUA 2
#3 Tilton 3 @ #2 New Hampton 2 (2-OT)
Consolation Bracket:
@ #5 Holderness 7, #8 Vermont Academy 0
@ #6 St. Paul’s 8, #7 Brewster 2
Saturday, February 29, 2020 (Day 2)
Championship Bracket:
Championship: @ #3 Tilton 7, #4 Proctor 2
3rd-Place Game: @ #1 KUA 5, #2 New Hampton 3
Consolation Bracket:
#6 St. Paul's 4 @ #5 Holderness 1
Holt Conference Tournament:
Friday, February 28, 2020 (Day 1)
@ #1 Worcester Academy 7, #4 Portsmouth Abbey 2
@ #2 North Yarmouth Academy 4, #3 Pingree 2
Saturday, February 29, 2020 (Day 2)
Championship Game: NYA 3 @ Worcester Academy 1
@ Fidelity Ice Center; Worcester, Mass.
(There will be no consolation game.)
Fri. 2/28/20 -- Updated: Sat. 2/29/20 at 8:55 pm
Prep Championship Venue Could be Moved
The venue for Championship Sunday, March 8th, is still up in the air -- a little bit.
In the service of fairness, geographically, the NEPSIHA Tournament Committee decided months ago to move the tournament from St. Anselm College in New Hampshire to a site in Connecticut, and chose Trinity College's Koeppel Community Sports Center. It's a good arena, and it's in a central location.
The potential conflict lies in the NESCAC Men's Tournament, which starts tomorrow afternoon (Sat. Feb. 29) with single-elimination quarterfinals. There are four games, but only two concern us: #1 Williams vs. #8 Conn. College, and #2 Trinity vs. #7 Amherst.
The following weekend, Sat.-Sun. March 7-8, the NESCAC semifinals and final will be played at the highest seed.
Under the various scenarios for tomorrow, there is one that could affect the Prep Championships: #1 Williams losing to Conn College while #2 Trinity beats Amherst. In that case, the NESCAC semifinal and finals would be played at Trinity, the highest remaining seed, and the prep championship games would have to hit the road to the Berkshire School in Sheffield, Mass.
The odds are in favor of the prep finals taking place at Trinity College on Sunday, but there is a possibility they could be at Berkshire.
It will all be settled tomorrow.
What is known for sure is that the NEPSIHA playoff games will be played at campus sites for both quarterfinals on Wednesday, March 4th and semifinals on Saturday, March 7th.
Update:
Both #1 Williams and #2 Trinity won their games, so the NESCAC tournament will be held at Williams -- and the prep finals will be at Trinity, as originally planned.
Wed. 2/26/20
Prep Highlights of Wed. Feb. 26, 2020
Berkshire Wins Again
Salisbury Halts Hotchkiss Streak
Tresca Scores GWG for Rivers
Hoff's Hat Trick Leads Brewster
Connolly Figures in all Dexter's Goals
Lawrence Academy 5 @ St. Sebastian's 1 -- (Scroll down full game account.)
@ Berkshire 3, Millbrook 2 -- Junior Jake MacDonald scored the game-winner at 13:57 of the third period to give Berkshire a win that should clinch the final spot in the Elite 8. Junior G Jed Baliotti (23/25) earned the win. Millbrook junior Owen Hains (20/23) took the loss. Berkshire is 12-1-1 over its last 14 games.
@ Westminster 6, Gunnery 1 -- D Ryan Pineault (2g,1a), F Jacob Monroe (1g,2a), D Ned Blanchard (3a), and F Danny Judge (3a) each had three points for Westminster. Sophomore G Grayson Pane (23/24) earned the win.
@ Avon 5, Canterbury 1 -- PJ Neal (2g), Jason Marsella (2g), and Timothy Heinke (1g,1a) led the offense for the Winged Beavers. Andrew Capasso (15/16) picked up the win, and Cal Skwara (32/37) took the loss.
Salisbury 2 @ Hotchkiss 0 -- Salisbury senior Cole Vallese's PPG at 12:04 of the third period broke up the 0-0 tie, and Jake Quillan added an empty-netter in the final minute. Salisbury junior Max Donoso (30/30) earned the shutout win; Hotchkiss senior Henry Wilder (30/31) was the hard-luck loser. The loss ended the Bearcats' 13-game unbeaten streak.
Groton 5 @ Middlesex 3 -- Groton got goals from 5 different scorers. Between the pipes, Kevin Clark (28/31) won it, and Jordan Busner (28/32) took the loss. Groton is now 21-6-0.
@ Winchendon 2, Exeter 1 -- This was won early in the second period, as Jake Black and Brandon Froio scored Winchendon's only goals. Exeter's Reese Ramirez cut it to 2-1, but that's as close as they would get. Winchendon senior G Max Caouette (29/30) earned the win.
NMH 4 @ Andover 2 -- Joe Solimine (2g,1a) and Nicholas LeClaire (1g,2a) each had 3 points to lead the NMH scorers. Senior Connor Hasley (30/32) earned the win. Andover senior Charlie Archer (29/33) took the loss.
Pomfret 5, Kents Hill 2 -- In a game played at Exeter, Tyler Bourque scored 2 goals and senior Andrew Shearson kicked out 20 of 22 to earn the win.
St. Mark's 5 @ St. George's 2 -- The host Dragons scored the game's first 2 goals, but then St. Mark's took over, scoring the next 5. Von Mabbs had a pair of goals for the Lions. D Tucker Hartmann (1g,2a) had 3 points. Senior G Will Bundy (22/24) earned the win. St. Mark's is now 20-4-2.
@ Deerfield 5, Kent 1 -- The Big Green got goals from 5 different scorers. Justin Prete (19/20) earned the win.
Rivers 5 @ Brooks 4 -- Rivers went up 3-0. Brooks came back with three of their own to tie it. In the third period, Rivers went ahead on Ollie Chessler's goal, but Brooks came back to tie it at 4-4 with 1:25 to play on Jake MacKinnon's goal with the goalie pulled for the extra attacker. Rivers senior Phillip Tresca, with 32 seconds remaining, scored the game winner.
@ Tilton 12, Vermont Academy 0 -- Mike Tersoni (3g,2a) and D Jagger Benson (1g,3a) had big days. Tilton outshot VA, 61-17. Sophomore G Gavin Kiley got the shutout for Tilton.
@ Cushing 8, New Hampton 4 -- Jacob Banks (2g,1a), Nic Rheaume (1g,2a), and Jackson Dorrington (3a) powered the Penguins. Cole Hipken had a pair of goals for New Hampton.
Loomis 5 @ Choate 2 -- Loomis got goals from 5 different players. Junior G Kyle Chauvette (16/18) got the win.
@ Brewster 8, Hebron 2 -- Junior Brady Hoff's hat trick led Brewster scorers. Brewster G Sam Livecchi (23/25) earned the win. Hebron's Jackson O'Brien (42/46) took the loss.
@ Nobles 5, Governor's 2 -- Nobles got goals from 5 different scorers. Senior Marc Smith (29/31) earned the win.
@ Dexter 5, Hoosac 2 -- Aidan Connolly (1g,4a) led the Dexter attack, and Jack Dempsey (2g,1a) was not far behind. Freshman G Dylan Silverstein (20/22) picked up the win; Hoosac senior G Kevin Chandler (58/63) took the loss.
Holderness 4 @ Berwick 3 -- Junior D Carter Rose (2g,2a) figured in all of the Holderness goals. Freshman G Evan Plunkett (27/30) earned the win.
@ Tabor 4, Belmont Hill 4 -- Junior Seth Bernard and sophomore Shane LaChance each had 2 goals. It was Bernard's second goal of the day that enabled Tabor to get the tie.
Wed. 2/26/20
Duran Hat Trick Sinks St. Seb's
Needham, Mass. -- Junior RW Riley Duran scored a hat trick to lead Lawrence Academy to a 5-1 win over St. Sebastian's here today.
LA maintains its stranglehold on the all-important #1 spot in the JSPR Rankings.
In addition, the Spartans (21-2-2) clinched a tie for the Keller Division crown. They can win it outright at Tabor Saturday. It was also their first road win over St. Seb's in eight years. The Arrows drop to 15-9-1.
The Spartans had to shuffle their lines as they were without the services of junior C David Sacco, a UNH recruit whose 40 points tie him with Duran, a Providence College recruit, at the top of the team's scoring leaders. Sacco injured his knee in practice Tuesday.
From the opening faceoff this game had a great pace with up-and-down action, smart plays, quick puck movement, and some good scoring chances. The first period offered a lot -- except scoring. Neither team could connect for a goal.
It was the same in the second period, though with better chances. Finally, halfway through the period, the scoreless tie was snapped when Duran indirected the puck to the corner and linemate Anthony Cafarelli beat the Seb's defenseman to the puck. Cafarelli got it back out front to Duran, who made a quick move and put it short-side, under the bar.
Seb's answered quickly -- just 58 seconds later -- when, on the powerplay, senior Liam Connors took a nice short pass from fellow senior Connor Joyce and and beat LA junior goaltender Tomas Pientka on a nice shot from the right faceoff dot to knot it at 1-1.
The score remained unchanged until late in the period. With 1:07 left in the period, LA scored what would turn out to be the game-winner, as junior Blake Humphrey, from behind the goal line, got it out front to senior James Broderick in the slot. Broderick, a Wake Forest baseball recruit, one-timed it past St. Sebastian's senior goalie Luke Garrity to take a 2-1 lead into the second intermission.
Early in the third, with Arrows' defenseman Thomas Messineo in the box for a trip, Duran struck again, as defenseman Damien Carfagna found him alone in the slot. Duran toe-dragged the puck, throwing off Garrity's timing, and snapped off a shot for the insurance goal to make it 3-1.
It looked like it might end there, but the Spartans were back on the powerplay late in the period and Humphrey, from the goal line, put it right on the stick of Duran, who completed his hat trick, giving LA a 4-1 lead with 3:18 to play.
LA's Holt Olipant would make it 5-1 with a shorthanded empty-net goal with 36 seconds left.
After the game, Lawrence head coach Robbie Barker said, "This was an up-and-down the lineup, full-team effort."
Barker said that, with Sacco out, "Guys had to play positions they hadn't played all season. And everybody kind of bought in and played a great game -- up and down the bench."
"Cafarelli was great playing on that line with Conor Lovett and (Duran)," Barker added. "He brought a lot of energy. I also thought our D played outstanding, keeping it simple and moving the puck quick."
Barker described Duran as a natural goal-scorer who works his tail off. "He does all the right things. He's one of those kids who loves having the puck on his stick, and knows what to do with it."
Lawrence finishes its regular-season slate with a 1:00 pm game at Tabor on Saturday. St. Sebastian's finishes Friday, as they host Thayer at 4:30 pm.
Tues. 2/25/20
In Final USHR Poll of Season, Avon is #1
Avon Old Farms (21-2-0) is #1 in the final USHR Weekly Prep Poll. From this point forward, opinion takes a back seat to the numbers.
We even have a new team this time around.
Check it out -- and thanks for reading. The next poll will be in December!
USHR Prep Poll, Week of Feb. 24, 2020
Sun. 2/23/20 Last updated: Fri. 2/29, 10:25 pm
Prep Composite Schedule, Week of Feb. 24, 2020
Mon. Feb. 24, 2020
Belmont Hill @ Berwick, 3:30 pm
Proctor @ Holderness, 6:00 pm
Hoosac @ Vermont Academy, 6:00 pm
Tues. Feb. 25, 2020
Hebron @ Bridgton Academy, 7:00 pm
Wed. Feb. 26, 2020
Gunnery @ Westminster, 2:00 pm
Canterbury @ Avon Old Farms, 2:30 pm
Millbrook @ Berkshire, 2:30 pm
Salisbury @ Hotchkiss, 2:30 pm
Groton @ Middlesex, 3:15 pm
Northfield Mt. Hermon @ Andover, 3:30 pm
Rivers @ Brooks, 4:00 pm
Williston Northampton @ Albany Academy, 4:00 pm
Exeter @ Winchendon, 4:00 pm
St. Mark's @ St. George's, 4:00 pm
Kent @ Deerfield, 4:15 pm
Holderness @ Berwick, 4:15 pm
Pomfret vs. Kents Hill, 4:15 pm -- at Phillips Exeter
Vermont Academy @ Tilton, 4:30 pm
Lawrence Academy @ St. Sebastian's, 4:30 pm
Trinity-Pawling @ Taft, 4:30 pm
New Hampton @ Cushing, 4:45 pm
Belmont Hill @ Tabor, 5:00 pm
Thayer @ Milton, 5:00 pm
Loomis Chaffee @ Choate, 5:00 pm
Worcester Academy @ North Yarmouth Academy, 5:00 pm
Hoosac @ Dexter, 5:00 pm
BB&N @ Roxbury Latin, 5:00 pm
Governor's @ Noble & Greenough, 5:15 pm
Hebron @ Brewster Academy, 6:00 pm
Fri. Feb. 28, 2020
Lakes Region Tournament (Day 1)
Championship Bracket:
Game One: #4 Proctor @ #1 KUA - 6:00 pm
Game Two: #3 Tilton @ #2 New Hampton - 4:00 pm
Consolation Bracket:
Game Three: #8 Vermont @ #5 Holderness - 2:30 pm
Game Four: #7 Brewster @ #6 St. Paul’s - 6:00 pm
Holt Conference Tournament (Day 1)
#4 Portsmouth Abbey @ #1 Worcester Academy, 4:00 pm
#3 Pingree @ #2 North Yarmouth Academy, 5:00 pm
St. Mark's @ BB&N, 4:00 pm -- new starting time is 7:00 pm
Thayer @ St. Sebastian's, 4:30 pm
Westminster @ Deerfield, 6:00 pm
Winchendon @ Williston Northampton, 6:00 pm
Berwick @ Governor's, 6:45 pm -- new starting time is 5:15 pm
Trinity-Pawling @ Brunswick, 7:00 pm
Sat. Feb. 29, 2020
Lakes Region Tournament (Day 2)
Championship Bracket:
Championship: #4 Proctor @ #3 Tilton, 4:00 pm
3rd-Place Game: #2 New Hampton @ #1 KUA, 6:00 pm
Consolation Bracket:
#6 St. Paul's @ #5 Holderness, 2:30 pm
Holt Tournament (Day 2)
Championship Game: NYA @ Worcester Academy, 1:20 pm
@ Fidelity Ice Center; Worcester, Mass.
(There will be no consolation game.)
Lawrence Academy @ Tabor, 1:00 pm
Belmont Hill vs. Westminster, 1:00 pm -- at Matthews Arena
Williston Northampton @ Pomfret, 1:00 pm
Hebron @ Kents Hill, 1:00 pm
Noble & Greenough @ Milton, 2:00 pm
Hoosac @ Northfield Mt. Hermon, 2:00 pm
Millbrook @ Trinity-Pawling, 2:30 pm
Berkshire @ Gunnery, 2:30 pm
Brooks @ BB&N, 3:00 pm
Groton @ St. Mark's, 4:00 pm
Exeter @ Andover, 4:00 pm
Salisbury @ Canterbury, 4:00 pm
Middlesex @ St. George's, 4:00 pm
Taft @ Hotchkiss, 4:30 pm
Governor's @ Cushing, 6:00 pm
Choate @ Kent, 6:30 pm
Loomis Chaffee @ Avon Old Farms, 7:00 pm
*** END OF REGULAR SEASON ***
Sat. 2/22/20
Prep Highlights of Sat. Feb. 22, 2020
Sacco's Hat Trick Saves LA, 4-4
Bulls' Freshman Goalie Stops 46 of 47
Groton Wins 11th of Last 12
Berkshire Moves Into 8th in JSPR
Harrington Leads Big Green Past Exeter
Taft's Tonelli Scores GWG vs. Choate
Avon 3 @ Salisbury 0 -- (Scroll down for the full game account.)
@ Dexter 11, Kents Hill 1 -- Jack Dempsey (2g,5a), Doug Grimes (3g,1a), Matt Copponi (2g,1a), and Aidan Connolly (1g,2a) all had 3 or more points. Senior John McElaney had 2 goals. Dexter outshot Kents Hill, 45-8.
St. Mark's 4 @ LA 4 -- A pair of PPGs in the third period gave St. Mark's a 4-3 lead, but with 2:41 left in the game David Sacco's 3rd goal of the game lifted LA to the tie. For St. Mark's, defensemen Tucker Hartmann (1g,2a) and Ian Moore (2a) led the scorers.
@ Pomfret 4, Millbrook 3 -- Pomfret got goals from 4 different scorers and senior G Andrew Shearson (31/33) was strong in net. For Millbrook, junior G Owen Hains (24/27) took the loss.
Holderness 5 @ St. Paul's 1 -- The Bulls got goals from 5 different skaters, but the difference-maker today was Holderness freshman goalie Evan Plunkett (46/47).
@ Rivers 6, Middlesex 1 -- In a penalty-filled game, Rivers's junior Coleman Nee (2g,1a) led the scorers and senior G Casen Janko picked up the win. Rivers outshot Middlesex, 51-20.
@ Groton 6, St. George's 2 -- Groton won for the 11th time in 12 games to improve to 20-6-0. Senior G Kevin Clark (2.30/.922) kicked out 28 of 30 shots for the win. Ronan Doherty, Robbie Long, and Will Molson each had a goal and 2 assists.
@ Governor's 4, St. Sebastian's 3 -- Owen Fowler and Sean Brown each had a goal and 2 assists. Sophomore D Brendan Fitzgerald had a goal and an assist. St. Seb's has lost 3 of 4, but is still in the hunt for home ice in the Small School Playoffs.
Berkshire 6 @ Westminster 5 -- Playing at home, Westy held a 3-1 lead early in the second, but Berkshire (16-7-2) came back, scoring 5 of the next 7. Aidan Thompson, with his 3rd goal and 5th point, scored the GWG at 11:34 of the third. Berkshire junior G Jed Baliotti (27/32) allowed more than 3 goals for only the second time this season. Berkshire is 11-1-1 in its last 13 games and, for tonight anyway, holds the #8 spot in the Elite 8. They face Millbrook and Gunnery next week.
@ Roxbury Latin 3, Brooks 0 -- Senior G Mikey Jones posted a 20-save shutout, and Joey Ryan and Bobby Luca each had a goal and 2 assists.
@ Kent 9, Canterbury 4 -- Jonas Passante had a hat trick and Jason Kleinhans (1g,2a) and Nick Marciano (3a) also had 3 points. In addition, Dante Palombo had 2 goals for the Lions. Casey Raffone scored 2 goals for Canterbury. The win was Kent's first in 17 days.
@ Proctor 1, New Hampton 1 -- Adam Shuchart scored a second-period goal for New Hampton, and Bryson Martin tied it up in the third for the Hornets. Proctor has two straight ties, having tied KUA 1-1 on Wednesday. The goalies -- Huskies' PG Robbie Farrell (28/29) and Hornets senior Cole Chingris (32/33) -- were good.
@ KUA 4, Cushing 3 -- In a game between two TUCs, KUA's Bryce Bollman scored 2 goals, the second breaking a 3-3 tie and giving the Wildcats the win at 16:55 of the third period. KUA senior Veeti Kohvakka (37/40) earned the win; Cushing freshman Jackson Irving (31/35) took the loss. Donte Pierre also scored 2 goals for KUA, and Jake Hewitt (2g,1a) did the same for Cushing.
Deerfield 4 @ Exeter 3 -- Senior F Jarod Harrington (1g,2a) figured in 3 of the Big Green's 4 goals. Senior G Justin Prete (26/29) earned the win. Exeter senior G Ryan Welch (21/24) took the loss.
@ Andover 3, BB&N 0 -- Andover goalies Shane Shelest (15/15) and Charle Archer (8/8) shared the shutout. BB&N freshman G David Mallio (51/54) deserved a better fate.
Tilton 8 @ Hebron 1 -- For the Rams, Maxwell Cocchi (3a), Jon Tavella (2g), and Jack Seymour, Ben Muthersbaugh, and Mike Tersoni each had a goal and an assist. Tilton is undefeated in its last five (4-0-1).
NYA 6 @ Portsmouth Abbey 0 -- Jonathan Heise (1g,2a) and Brendan Bolduc (2g) led the NYA attack. Stefan Kulhanek (24/24) picked up the shutout.
@ Taft 2, Choate 1 -- A Zack Tonelli goal at 10:04 of the second turned out to be the GWG. Taft senior G Jamses Donaldson (24/25) earned the win. Choate PG Tomas Horak (27/29) took the loss.
Albany Academy 3, Wyoming Seminary 2 -- At the Prep School Challenge at Albany Academy, PG Chase Maxwell's 2nd period goal turned out to be the game-winner. Albany junior G Andrew Palena (22/24) picked up the win; Wyoming junior Christophe Beluse (32/35) took the loss. For Sunday's schedule at the Prep School Challenge (all games will be at RPI), please see this week's composite schedule.
Sat. 2/22/20
#1 Avon's Callaghan Blanks #2 Salisbury, 3-0
Salisbury, Conn. -- 'Relentless' is one word Salisbury head coach Andrew Will used to describe the play of the visitors from Avon Old Farms today. 'Fast' was another.
Add it up and you get the picture. The Winged Beavers (21-2-0) had Salisbury (19-3-1) back on their heels all game and didn't leave the SRO crowd that packed Rudd Rink on Alumni Weekend with much to make noise about.
An unassisted short-handed goal from Avon senior RW Timur Alishlalov at 1:30 of the second period broke a 0-0 tie and was all the offense Avon would need. It was a beauty of a goal, too, as Alislavov flashed down the right side and, using the defenseman as a screen, unleashed a shot that beat Salisbury goalie Nick Haas high to the blocker side.
Later, with 30 seconds to go in the second period, junior Timothy Heinke drove the net and got it to speedy Avon sophomore wing Liam Verdoni to make it a 2-0 game. Late in the third, senior center Tabor Heaslip scored an empty-netter to make it 3-0.
Standing tall behind it all was Avon junior goaltender Connor Callaghan with a 25-save shutout. Callaghan was excellent smothering or redirecting rebounds toward the corners. Avon's D did a good job keeping the opposition away from the crease.
The highly-anticipated game -- the first and only meeting between the two teams this season -- started cautiously. Avon head coach John Gardner said the first period reminded him of a playoff game with "two very good teams going at it." Avon's speed was apparent early, particularly when it came to forcing Salisbury into turning over the puck.
"I think we played a pretty good defensive-style game," Gardner said. "We didn't give them a lot of chances. We knew they are a very disciplined hockey team and we had to be as disciplined -- and we had to use our speed to our advantage. Our forwards are quick, and on the big sheet here the key was possessing the puck a little more than we would in a regular-sized rink."
"We knew we had to get on their D," Gardner added. "We knew we couldn't give them time and space. We know they like to wheel the puck and create offense from the defense. We knew we had to get in there and finish our checks and pressure their D."
Salisbury's Will said, "First off, great job by Avon. They played extremely well. I think they made it difficult for us to get any momentum going. We were frustrated because I don't think we adjusted as well as we wanted. We wanted to simplify our game a bit more. We didn't do a good job getting pucks to the net and having bodies there for second and third chances. I thought we were too cute coming into the offensive zone. We did a lot of east-west play, but today required a little more north-south."
"I thought Nick Haas did really well in net. There was not a whole lot he could have done on either goal," added Will.
"They were the team that needed to win, and we were the team that wanted to win. I know our guys have responded well this year when we haven't been our best, so I know they'll bounce back. We'll have a couple good practices before Hotchkiss on Wednesday."
Avon hosts Canterbury on Wednesday, then finishes at home against Loomis Saturday.
Fri. 2/21/20
Predicting the (Near) Future
As we enter the penultimate weekend of the regular season, it’s time to take a hard look at the future, which in our case means it's time to look at the possibilities and opportunities the next eight days offer teams jockeying for a spot in the Elite 8.
For those of you new to USHR, ten years ago we hired a math whiz at Taft, Jeremy Philipson (who would later go on to one of the top engineering schools in the country, Carnegie Mellon University, and land in -- where else? -- Silicon Valley), to come up with an algorithm that would measure the strength of the top teams in prep hockey, the end goal being to determine which teams should make it into the Elite 8 without having to rely on a selection committee.
The algorithm Philipson developed, JSPR, was born of necessity, as prep hockey was about to eliminate Div. II and make all schools Div. I. Philipson had run simulations that proved that adding 30 or so Div. II teams to the existing Div. I teams would wreak havoc -- unless changes were made to the formula. Thus was born JSPR (an acronym for the Jeremy S. Philipson Rating System). Next, it was presented to then-NEPSIHA President John Gardner, who approved its use by the league.
What follows is a layman's guide to the system.
The Top 16 teams in RPI, a.k.a., 'Teams Under Consideration,' are thrown into the hopper and broken down even further based on the following criteria.
1) Head-to-head record
2) RPI comparison
3) Record against common opponents
4) Record against TUCs (Teams Under Consideration, i.e., the Top 16 in RPI).
For each comparison win in the above criteria, a JSPR point is awarded. The eight teams with the most JSPR points make it into the Elite 8 (tie-breakers go to the head-to-head winner, with RPI ranking as the fallback). The remaining teams are placed into the large and small school tournaments based solely on RPI ranking.
Simple enough, but the devil is in the details. Implementing the above rules was no easy task, all the more so when our goal was to provide the results to USHR subscribers in 'real time.' As you can see, we did it: real-time RPI and JSPR, right at your fingertips.
But that just showed the results at the present moment, all that was really necessary. Soon, though, we were wondering if we could come up with something that would show what might be most likely to happen going forward. The trick, though, was figuring out how to extend JSPR in such a way that not only the already-played games are part of the data set, but also future games.
That's how we got to the 'Season Projections.'
Great, how does it work? First, calculate JSPR up to the present day, and then, for each game day remaining in the regular season, recalculate JSPR, feeding the results back to the future -- i.e., the next set of scheduled games -- until the end of the season is reached. We’re basically playing the season forward from the present into the most likely future using the current strength of each team as the basis.
The end results can be seen via the main menu Playoffs > Season Projection option. It’s important to note that hot streaks, player injuries, and not-yet-scheduled games (e.g., the upcoming Lakes Region tournament) are not factored into the projections.
OK, that was a lot to digest. Now let’s look at some interesting Saturday games, those matchups that could cause a significant shift going into the final week of the regular season.
We're talking about the three matchups in which both team are TUCs:
-- KUA vs. Cushing
-- St. Mark’s @ LA
-- Avon @ Salisbury
With a win over KUA, we could see Cushing leapfrog Brunswick for the final spot in the Elite 8 (update 2/22/20: Cushing got an assist from Brunswick via their loss to Gunnery yesterday and as of this morning sit in the #8 spot). Cushing’s fate depends on another game, however -- St. Mark’s @ LA. With a win over LA on Saturday, St. Mark’s will, from out of nowhere, drop into the #8 seed.
KUA, on the other hand, will solidify its spot in the Elite 8 with a win, and in so doing keep alive their hopes of pulling off an historic 4-peat under head coach Tim Whitehead. (KUA has won the previous three Elite 8 titles; the only other team to achieve this feat is Salisbury, with Andrew Will at the helm).
Saturday's Avon @ Salisbury game falls squarely in the 'wish-we-had-that-problem' domain, as this game is all about jockeying for home ice in the playoffs and gaining the higher seed, and not about whether or not either team will make the Elite 8. They both will.
There will be other impact matchups down the home stretch, but, for this weekend, the three matchups above are the ones to watch. They will likely have the biggest impact as we drive forward to the night of Saturday, February 29th, when the regular season goes into the books.
Wed. 2/19/20
Paskowski Poke Wins it for the the Penguins
Andover, Mass. -- A second period goal from Cushing sophomore defenseman Owen Paskowski broke a 2-2 tie and turned out to be the game-winner as the #9 Penguins edged Andover, 4-2, here today.
The game looked like it might be one worth betting the entire farm on. Coming in, Andover had lost 11 of its last 12 games, and Cushing was riding a 12-game unbeaten streak (10-0-2).
And if you had gone ahead and bet the farm, you'd have come out on top. But when the puck was dropped, it didn't necessarily look that way, as Cushing never had a lead until Paskowski's goal, which won't be appearing on any greatest goals highlight films. A Jacob Banks shot looked like it had been stopped by Andover senior goaltender Charlie Archer. But it wasn't. The puck was just sitting there on the goal line between Archer's right skate and the post, but Paskowski saw it and gave it a good, hard poke -- and over the line it went. The Cushing players looked around, hesitant about celebrating, not sure if the puck went in or not. It had.
Cushing senior forward Max Dorrrington added an empty-netter in the third.
From the opening faceoff, both teams were skating hard, playing physically, and creating their chances. Midway through the first period, Andover sophomore forwards Nick Royster and Patrick Last combined on a nice play, as Last, from behind the goal line, spotted Royster in front. The pass was perfect and Royster fired a quick wrister past Cushing freshman goalie Jackson Irving for the game's first goal.
About five minutes later, at 14:29, Cushing evened it at 1-1 as fourth line center CJ Zezima, alone in the slot, fired a high wrister that Archer had no chance on.
In the second, Andover went up, 2-1, on a power play goal from PG Colin Marks, assisted by Royster 1:18 into the period. Less than three minutes later, Cushing junior Jake Hewitt, who had hobbled off the ice favoring his right knee after a first period hit, tied the game at 2-2 on a high wrister that beat Archer stick side. And just 1:16 later, Paskowski nudged home the game winner.
Once Cushing had the lead, they didn't let go of it. As the game moved along, the shots, which had been coming from all over, and included some nice chances that the goalies turned away, became less frequent.
"We got behind, but we got a group that believes, and works really hard," Cushing head coach Steve Jacobs said. "You have to work hard to beat (Archer), and we got some nice goals. And then, once we got the lead, we played a good solid structured game.
Wed. 2/19/20
Prep Highlights of Wed. Feb 19, 2020
Proctor & KUA: Double Goose Eggs
Brandt, Tabor Upset Seb's in OT
Gibbons's Unusual Natural Hat
Cipollone, Sigal Lead Loomis
MacDonald Comes Through for Berkshire
Double Hat Tricks for Dexter
Tilton 6 @ Brewster 4 -- A Jack Seymour SHG, at 11:54 of the third, broke a 4-4 tie, and Seymour added another to make it 6-4. Tilton led 4-1 at the first intermission, but Brewster battled back with a pair of goals in the second. In the third, Brewster's Brady Hoff scored his second goal of the night. That made it 4-4 and it looked like Brewster (3-22-2) might pull off the upset. And that's when Seymour, a senior from Quebec, stepped up and put a stop to that notion.Tilton is 13-5-4 and in the hunt for a slot in the Small School Playoffs.
@ Proctor 0, KUA 0 -- KUA senior Veeti Kohvakka (41/41) and Proctor senior Cole Chingris (31/31) were the heroes in this one. It was the second time this season Kohvakka has shut out Proctor. The only difference was that the first time the skaters in front of him scored five goals. They could meet for a third time in the first round of the Lakes Region Playoffs.
Berkshire 4 @ Trinity-Pawling 2 -- Berkshire junior Jake MacDonald scored at 14:44 of the third to break a 2-2 tie, and added an empty-netter for good measure. Berkshire junior G Jed Baliotti (25/27) got the win; T-P junior David Keefe (37/40) took the loss. Berkshire (15-7-2) is 10-1-1 over its last 12 games.
Tabor 3 @ St. Sebastian's 2 (OT) -- A Jack Brandt goal 40 seconds into OT gave Tabor the upset win. Brandt's goal was assisted by Coleman Jenkins and Shane LaChance, both of whom were involved in all 3 Tabor goals. But the biggest hero of the game was Tabor sophomore goalie Mathew Gover (55/57). Seb's senior Luke Garrity (13/16) took the loss. The Arrows have had a tough few weeks, going 3-4-1 over their last 8. The Seawolves have had a tough season, so must have enjoyed the bus ride back to the shores of Buzzards Bay.
@ Brunswick 6, Albany Academy 1 -- The Bruins avenged a Feb. 7th loss to AA. Michael Salandra (2g,1a), Matthew McGroarty (2g,1a), Connor Welsh (1g,2a) and Andon Cerbone (3a) led the 'Wick attack. In goal, Alexander Rohlf (23/24) picked up the win.
Pomfret 5, Gunnery 1 -- In a game played at Trinity College, Sami Hakkarainen scored 2 goals and PG goalie Andrew Shearson (2.09/.930) kicked out 28 of 29 shots. Gunnery has stumbled over the last month, going 3-5-2. However, they still look good for the Small School Playoffs.
@ Loomis Chaffee 8, Westminster 4 -- The Pelicans, who entered the game with only one win in February scored a season-high 8 goals. Seniors Anthony Cipollone (1g,3a) and Jake Sigal (1g,3a) each had 4-point games.
@ New Hampton 9, Vermont Academy 1 -- Fifteen New Hampton skaters recorded at least one point. The Huskies are now 21-7-2. VA is 1-24-0.
Dexter 9 @ Berwick 1 -- Aidan Connolly and Doug Grimes each had hat tricks and Connor Blanchard had a goal and 2 assists. Dexter is 20-4-0 with 3 games remaining.
@ Taft 7, Deerfield 6 (OT) -- A Justin Humenay unassisted goal at 2:48 of OT lifted the Rhinos to the win. The goal was his second of the day, and fourth of the season. Henry Molson had 2 goals and an assist.
Cushing 4 @ Andover 2 -- Full account above.
Milton 4 @ Belmont Hill 1 -- Tanner Smith scored 2 goals and Chris DeMers kicked out 21 of 22 shots to lead the Mustangs to their 5th win in 7 games.
@ NMH 4, Exeter 3 -- The Hoggers got goals from 4 different players and senior G Connor Hasley (2.26/.936) kicked out 31 of the 34 shots he faced.
@ Thayer 10, St. Paul's 1 -- Junior Sasha Teleguine (3g,4a), freshman Mike Stenberg (3g,2a), and junior Peter Kramer (1g,3a) led the Tigers' attack. Senior G Gavin FitzPatrick (19/20) picked up the win. Since a 6-game losing streak in January, Thayer has gone 7-1-1.
@ Millbrook 5, Hoosac 0 -- Senior D Bauer Morrissey scored a pair of goals and Jake Percival and Niko Rexine had 2 assists apiece. Millbrook is 8-0-1 in its last 9 games, and 19-7-1 on the season.
@ Williston 7, Canterbury 2 -- Seniors Tommy Harty (3g,1a) and Jake Sacratini (1g,3a) each had 4 points and junior G Emile Savoie, a Montreal native, kicked out 35 of 37 for the win.
Winchendon 4 @ Holderness 3 -- Winchendon junior G Jake Fillion (45/48) earned the win and Danny Cavanagh had a pair of goals. Tim Manning had 2 goals for Holderness.
@ Kent 2, Hotchkiss 2 -- A Declan Conway PPG in the third period lifted the Bearcats to the tie. Hotchkiss junior Cameron Smith (20/22) and Kent junior Jeremy Siegel (25/27) had good games. Hotchkiss's 9-game win streak is over, replaced by a 10-game unbeaten streak.
St. Mark's 4 @ Rivers 0 -- Junior Brendan Gibbons notched a natural hat trick, with one goal even strength, one shorthanded, and one on the power play. St. Mark's outshot Rivers, 40-11. Now 18-4-1, St. Mark's has a great opportunity to make an impact Saturday at LA.
Brooks 4 @ Groton 2 -- A big upset win for Brooks (5-16-0). Senior F Charlie Alcorn was the hero, with the winning goal late in the third period, and an empty-netter in the final minute. Jonathan Carafotes (37/39) earned the win; Kevin Clark (23/26) took the loss.
@ Nobles 9, BB&N 0 -- Casey Severo (4a), Drew Haxton (2g,1a), David Jacobs (1g,2a), and Roman Tacelli (1g,2a) led the onslaught. Nobles is 8-1-1 in its last 10.
@ Pingree 5, Worcester Academy 2 -- Ian Driscoll (1g,4a), Brendan Driscoll (2g,2a) and Hazen Pike (2g,2a) led Pingree's attack. In goal, Matt Cusolito (30/32) earned the win, and Jack Byrne (33/38) was tagged for the loss.
Tues. 2/18/20
Avon #1 in USHR Weekly Poll
Avon Old Farms (19-2) is back atop USHR's weekly prep poll. In addition, there are a couple of new teams that have snuck in.
It's all right here. Enjoy!
USHR Prep Poll, Week of Feb. 17, 2020
Sun. 2/16/20
-- Please send updates/corrections to news@ushr.com. Thank you. Last updated Sun., 12:30 am
Prep Composite Schedule, Week of Feb. 17, 2020
Mon. Feb. 17, 2020
Holderness @ Brewster Academy, 3:30 pm
Loomis Chaffee @ Hotchkiss, 4:30 pm
Kimball Union @ Vermont Academy, 4:30 pm
Worcester Academy @ Groton, 4:45 pm
Gunnery @ Canterbury, 5:00 pm
New Hampton @ St. Paul's, 5:30 pm
Wed. Feb. 19, 2020
Gunnery vs. Pomfret, 1:30 pm -- at Trinity College; Hartford, Conn.
Tilton @ Brewster Academy, 2:30 pm
Kimball Union @ Proctor, 2:30 pm
Berkshire @ Trinity-Pawling, 3:00 pm
Worcester Academy @ Pingree, 3:00 pm
Cushing @ Andover, 3:15 pm
Tabor @ St. Sebastian's, 3:30 pm
Winchendon @ Holderness, 3:30 pm
St. George's @ Roxbury Latin, 3:30 pm
Brooks @ Groton, 3:45 pm
Vermont Academy @ New Hampton, 4:00 pm
Deerfield @ Taft, 4:00 pm
Albany Academy @ Brunswick, 4:00 pm
Westminster @ Loomis Chaffee, 4:00 pm
Exeter @ Northfield Mt. Hermon, 4:00 pm -- moved back to a 4:30 start
Middlesex @ Portsmouth Abbey, 4:00 pm
Kents Hill @ Hebron, 4:00 pm
Dexter @ Berwick, 4:15 pm
Lawrence Academy @ Governor's, 4:15 pm
Avon Old Farms @ Choate, 4:30 pm
Hotchkiss @ Kent, 4:30 pm
MAHL Final: Hill School @ Lawrenceville, 4:30 pm
Canterbury @ Williston Northampton, 4:30 pm
Hoosac @ Millbrook, 4:30 pm
St. Paul's @ Thayer, 4:30 pm
Milton @ Belmont Hill, 5:00 pm
St. Mark's @ Rivers, 5:15 pm
BB&N @ Noble & Greenough, 5:30 pm
Thurs. Feb. 20, 2020
Salisbury @ Kent, 5:00 pm
Fri. Feb. 21, 2020
Kimball Union @ Holderness, 3:00 pm
Andover @ Brooks, 4:45 pm
Winchendon @ Dexter, 4:45 pm
Rivers @ Exeter, 5:30 pm
Berwick @ St. Mark's, 5:30 pm
Belmont Hill @ Noble & Greenough, 5:45 pm
Milton @ Thayer, 6:00 pm
Williston @ Deerfield, 6:00 pm -- Pioneer Valley Prep Cup
Gunnery @ Brunswick, 6:00 pm
Pingree @ Hebron, 6:00 pm
BB&N @ Lawrence Academy, 7:00 pm
Kents Hill @ Cushing, 7:00 pm
Prep School Challenge, Day 1 @ Albany Academy
Game #1 3:00 pm -- #2 Stanstead College vs. #7 Wyoming Seminary
Game #2 5:00 pm -- #3 Hill vs. #6 Albany Academy
Game #3 7:00 pm -- #1 Bishops College School vs. #1 Academie Saint-Louis
Game #4 9:00 pm -- #4 Lawrenceville vs. #5 Rice Memorial
Sat. Feb. 22, 2020
Kents Hill @ Dexter, 1:00 pm
St. Mark's @ Lawrence Academy, 1:00 pm
North Yarmouth Academy @ Portsmouth Abbey, 2:00 pm
Holderness @ St. Paul's, 2:00 pm
Millbrook @ Pomfret, 2:00 pm
Middlesex @ Rivers, 2:15 pm
Avon Old Farms @ Salisbury, 3:00 pm
St. Sebastian's @ Governor's, 3:00 pm
Hotchkiss @ Trinity-Pawling, 3:00 pm
Brooks @ Roxbury Latin, 3:00 pm
St. George's @ Groton, 3:30 pm
Berkshire @ Westminster, 3:30 pm
Choate @ Taft, 4:00 pm
Brewster Academy @ Vermont Academy, 4:00 pm
Loomis Chaffee @ Northfield Mt. Hermon, 4:00 pm
Tilton @ Hebron, 4:15 pm
Tabor @ Thayer, 4:30 pm
New Hampton @ Proctor, 4:30 pm
Canterbury @ Kent, 4:30 pm
BB&N @ Andover, 4:30 pm
Cushing @ Kimball Union, 4:30 pm
Deerfield @ Exeter, 5:00 pm
Prep School Challenge, Day 2 @ Albany Academy
Game #5 10:00 am -- Losers Games 1/2: Wyoming Seminary vs. Albany
Game #6 12:00 pm -- Losers Games 3/4: Academie Saint-Louis vs. Rice
Game #7 2:00 pm -- Winners Games 1/2: Hill vs. Stanstead
Game #8 4:00 pm -- Winners Games 3/4: Lawrenceville vs. Bishops
Sun. Feb. 23, 2020
Hoosac @ Worcester Academy, 12:15 pm
Northfield Mt. Hermon @ Choate, 2:00 pm
Prep School Challenge, Day 3 @ RPI
Sunday's start times have been pushed back 2 hours, as noted below.
Game #9 9:00 am 11:00 am -- Losers Games 5/6: Academie Ste-Louis vs. Wyoming
Game #10 11:00 am 1:00 pm -- Winners Games 5/6: Albany Academy vs. Rice
Game #11 1:00 pm 3:00 pm -- Losers Games 7/8: Hill vs. Bishops College
Game #12 3:00 pm 5:00 pm -- Winners of Games 7 & 8: Lawrenceville vs. Stanstead
Mon. Feb. 24, 2020
Belmont Hill @ Berwick, 3:30 pm
Proctor @ Holderness, 6:00 pm
Hoosac @ Vermont Academy, 6:00 pm
Sun. 2/16/20
Prep Highlights of Sat. Feb. 15, 2020
Gammill, Berkshire Stay Hot
Milton Cools Off #7 Nobles
#5 Hotchkiss Wins 8th Straight
Cushing Unbeaten Streak Reaches 11
@ Berkshire 5, #8 Brunswick 3 -- Yale recruit Briggs Gammill (2g,2a) posted his third 4-point game of the season to lead the Bears to their 9th win in the last 11 games. Berkshire senior G Jed Baliotti (26/29) earned the win. Brunswick junior Alexander Rohlf (17/22) took the loss. Brunswick had beaten Gunnery Friday night, 5-2, for its only win in the last 3 games. Losing 2 out of 3 hasn't happened to Brunswick since the first 3 games of the season. The Bruins (18-6-2) have a tenuous hold on the #8 slot in the Elite 8. Berkshire is at #10.
@ Rivers 2, Roxbury Latin 0 -- Rivers senior G Casen Janko (19/19) posted his second shutout of the season and Matt Cormier and Ryan Bell (on a 4x3) scored the goals. RL senior G Mikey Jones (37/39) took the loss. With the win, Rivers improves to 11-9-1.
@ St. Mark's 3, Middlesex 1 -- Senior Danny Ciccarello (2g,1a) figured in all of St. Mark's scoring, posting his 13th game of 3 or more points. Senior G Will Bundy (34/35) earned the win; Middlesex junior G Jordan Busner (32/35) took the loss. St. Mark's (17-4-1) is well-positioned to earn home ice in the playoffs.
Milton 6 @ #7 Nobles 2 -- Milton (12-10-1) scored 4 straight goals in the second period, taking a 4-0 lead, holding onto it, and putting an end to Nobles' 8-game unbeaten streak. It was the first time this season Nobles had given up 6 goals in a game. Milton junior Jeffrey Lee scored 2 goals (one was an empty-netter) and added an assist. Milton sophomore G Jake Cardonick (25/27) earned the win; Nobles' senior G Marc Smith (16/21) took the loss. The two teams have a rematch in the final game of the regular season, Feb. 29th at Milton.
Millbrook 7 @ Williston 0 -- Millbrook senior Niko Rexine (3g) posted his second hat trick of the season. Senior D Zach Bookman (2g,1a) and junior Jake Percival (3a) also had 3 points each. Junior G Owen Hains (18/18) posted his second shutout of the season. Millbrook, which had a 34-18 edge in shots, has won 7 of its last 8 to improve to 18-7-1.
#5 Hotchkiss 4 @ Taft 1 -- Big sophomore C Karsen Dorwart (1g,2a) and senior F Gavin Puskar (2g) led the Bearcats' attack. Senior G Henry Wilder (23/24) earned the win. Taft sophomore G Mikey Roberts (9/12) played the first period for the Rhinos before being relieved by senior James Donaldson (22/23). Hotchkiss (15-4-1) has won 8 in a row and outscored its opponents, 34-7, in that span.
@ Cushing 3, Canterbury 0 -- Sophomore F Robbie Barletta, senior F Connor Wood, and sophomore D Jackson Dorrington each scored a goal, and freshman G Jackson Irving (2.10/.925) kicked out all 13 shots he faced for his third shutout of the season. Canterbury senior Cal Skwara (42/45) took the loss. Cushing is red hot, and riding an 11-game unbeaten (9-0-2) streak. The Penguins are #9 in JSPR as this is being written.
Exeter 3 @ Choate 2 -- Exeter sophomore F Charlie McGurrin's goal with 1:34 remaining gave Exeter (15-9-2) the win. Tom Chmielewski had an assist on the play. Choate, on goals from John Russo and CJ Stafford, led 2-1 after two. In the third, Jack Simon scored an unassisted goal for Exeter to tie the game at 2-2, and set the stage for McGurrin's GWG. Exeter senior G Ryan Welch (23/25) earned the win; Choate senior Tyler McDermott (21/24) took the loss.
#3 Salisbury 4 @ Loomis 1 -- Junior F Sam Deckhut (1g,1a); and seniors Lucas Mercuri (1g,1a), D Jarod Crespo (1g,1a) and Matt DeBoer (2a) each had two points to lead the #3 Crimson Knights (18-2-1). Senior F Alex Krause (1g), a Dartmouth recruit, scored Loomis's lone goal. Salisbury senior G Nick Haas (28/29) earned the win; Loomis junior G Kyle Chauvette (23/27) took the loss.
@ Westminster 4, Pomfret 3 -- Early in the first period, Pomfret senior F Sami Hakkarainen scored a pair of goals 16 seconds apart, both assisted by Jake Hughes, to go up 2-1. But host Westminster chipped away, scoring the next four goals, including an empty-netter, for the win. Westy junior G Bennett Ostern (21/24) earned the win; Pomfret sophomore G Kellen Beauton (21/24) was tagged with the loss.
Belmont Hill 6 @ BB&N 2 -- Senior Luke Khozozian (2g,1a), junior Ryan McGuire (1g,2a), sophomore Charlie Cave (1g,2a), and junior D Tyler Rubin (3a) each had 3 points. Bel Hill is 11-11-2 with 5 games remaining. McGuire's goal was his 20th of the season. Cave's goal was the first of his career.
@ #6 KUA 5, Holderness 1 -- KUA got goals from 5 different skaters -- 3 came on the PP -- en route to their 20th win of the season. Junior G Zak Brice (25/26) earned the win. Holderness freshman G Evan Plunkett (37/42) took the loss.
Pingree 5 @ Brewster 5 -- A goal from Brewster's Brady Hoff with the goalie pulled and 53 seconds on the clock, lifted host Brewster to the 5-5 tie. This was a 1-1 game after one, and a 3-3 game after two. In the first 1:14 of the third, senior F Brendan Driscoll scored his 21st and 22nd goals of the season to put Pingree up, 5-3. But that wasn't the all of it, as Brewster PG D Jack Murphy, with his team on a 5x3 powerplay, scored the first goal of his prep career to cut Pingree's lead to 5-4 at the 5:02 mark. A little over 12 minutes later Hoff would tie it up. Brewster outshot Pingree, 48-32.
St. George's 3 @ Brooks 1 -- Dragons' sophomore F Matt Kursonis PPG at 12:02 of the second period turned out to be the game-winner. Except for the empty-netter in the third, all goals in this game came on the PP.
#2 Avon Old Farms 5 @ Deerfield 2 -- The Winged Beavers, trailing 1-0 early in the second, reeled off 3 consecutive powerplay goals to take control of this one. Avon junior G Connor Callaghan (18/20) got the win; Deeerfield senior G Justin Prete (30/35) took the loss. Deerfield drops to .500 at 8-8-4.
@ Tabor 1, Governor's 1 -- Senior F Sean Brown scored a second-period goal for Gov's, but Tabor sophomore D Carter Patterson got it back in the third with his first career goal. Gov's 6'4" junior G Tristan Mecenas kicked out 28 of 29 shots.
Stanstead College 4, NYA 0 -- In a neutral-site game played at Bowdoin College, Stanstead got a hat trick from senior F Devon DeVries, a goal and 2 assists from senior F Shaun Mahoney, and a 36-save shutout from G Greg Orosz.
NMH 7 @ Worcester Academy 5 -- Junior F Joe Solimine (2g,1a), senior F Reese Farrell (3a), and senior D Chris Throndson (3a) led NMH's scoring parade, and five other skaters contributed a goal. WA was led by senior forwards Karim Garifulin (2g,2a), Matt Monopoli (1g,2a), and Rory White (1g,2a). The Hoggers have won 3 in a row and 4 of 5.
@ #1 Lawrence 4, St. Paul's 3 (OT) --
@ #10 St. Sebastian's 10, Hoosac 2 --
@ Proctor 7, Berwick 6 (OT) --
@ Trinity-Pawling 8, Kent 5 --
Albany Academy 7, Hebron 5 --
Lawrenceville 4 @ Gunnery 4 --
Wed. 2/12/19
Prep Highlights of Wed. Feb. 12, 2020
Deerfield's Harrington Stuns #9 Loomis
Lapsley OT Goal Saves #7 Nobles
#5 Hotchkiss Rolls, Wins 7th Straight
New Hampton Rocks #4 Dexter, 7-4
Hoggers' Solomine: A Hat Trick & 2 Assists
#5 Hotchkiss 4 @ Westminster 2 -- #5 Hotchkiss won its 7th in a row. Senior F Jeremy Abraham scored a pair of goals, and juniors Brian Haywood and D Jon Horne each had a pair of assists. Senior G Henry Wilder (1.77/.941) kicked out 21 of 22. With the win, Hotchkiss improves to 14-4-1. Two years ago, the Bearcats finished 4-16-5, and last year they improved to 11-11-2. Now, the core of that group is at 14 wins and counting. The last time Hotchkiss won 14 games in a season? Eleven years ago, in '08-'09.
@ #2 Avon Old Farms 9, Gunnery 0 -- Junior G Connor Callaghan (1.49/.936) notched his 5th shutout of the season as the Winged Beavers, now 18-2-0, rolled to their 5th straight win. JP Turner had two goals, and Nick Cyprian, Liam Verdoni, PJ Neal, Tabor Heaslip, and D Drew Tsakounis each had a goal and an assist.
@ Berkshire 3, Kent 0 -- Berkshire had an 0-5-0 slump that started at the Avon Tournament and lasted until January 11th. Since then, the Bears have gone 8-1-1, losing only to #5 Hotchkiss. As of this writing, Berkshire (13-7-2) is #15 in the RPI, making them a Team Under Consideration (TUC). Today, PG Gunnar Granito, junior Jack Marottolo, and senior Aidan Thompson, a Denver recruit, each had a goal for the Bears; and junior G Jed Baliotti (1.80/.935) stopped all 15 shots he faced, posting his second shutout of the season. (Kent's fortunes thus far have been the opposite of Berkshire's. The Lions were hot in December, winning the Avon Tournament, but have stumbled in January and February, going 3-6-0).
@ Groton 7, BB&N 0 -- Luke Beckstein (1g,3a) had 4 points, Ronan Doherty had a hat trick, and Marc Borghi had 3 assists to lead the Zebras' attack. Groton outshot BB&N, 49-9. With the win, Groton improves to 17-5-0; BB&N falls to 1-18-0.
@ Deerfield 3, #9 Loomis 2 -- Loomis and Deerfield traded goals all game until, with 1:14 remaining in regulation, Big Green senior F Jarod Harrington scored the game-winner, with an assist going to senior D Eamon Doheny. Exactly 8 minutes earlier, Harrington scored the goal to tie at 2-2. Doheny had an assist on that one, too, to finish the day with 3 assists. Loomis senior F Alex Krause (1g,1a) figured in both of the Pelicans' goals. The win puts Deerfield a game over .500 at 8-7-4. Loomis is 11-4-4 but has stumbled, going 1-2-2 over its last 5 games. Deerfield has beaten them twice this season.
@ #3 Salisbury 2, Taft 1 -- Salisbury senior Matt DeBoer's goal at 11:54 of the second turned out to be the game-winner here today. Senior Cole Vallese had put Salisbury up 1-0 in the first. Taft senior Zack Tonelli tied things at 1-1 at 4:45 of the second. It was the 20th point of the season for Tonelli, the Rhinos' leading scorer, and it came in his 20th game. Salisbury junior G Max Donoso (1.76/.918) kicked out 18 shots for the win. Taft senior James Donaldson (40/42) took the hard-luck loss. With the win, Salisbury avenged its Dec. 4th season-opening loss at Taft, a 3-2 decision. (Tonelli had 2 goals in that one, including the GWG. DeBoer had one of Salisbury's goals, and Donaldson kicked out 39 of 41 for the win.)
NMH 7 @ Williston 3 -- Junior F Joe Solimine, the Hoggers' leading scorer, had a hat trick and added a pair of assists to lead NMH. Right there with him was Nicholas LeClaire (2g,2a). Connor Hasley (2.07/.941) kicked out 30 of 33 to pick up the win.
St. Paul's 4, Brewster 2 -- Brewster held a 2-0 lead after one, but St. Paul's scored 3 in the second -- all with the man advantage -- and added one in the third period. Sophomore F Cooper Flinton (1g,2a) led the SPS attack. Joe Schubert, Clayton Malone, and Owen Stadheim each added a goal. SPS senior Charlie Murphy (30/32) earned the win; Brewster junior Sam Livecchi (37/41) took the loss.
@ New Hampton 7, #4 Dexter 4 -- Dexter scored the game's first goal, but New Hampton came back with 5 straight to take a 5-1 lead. Dexter scored 3 straight in the second to cut New Hampton's lead to one goal at 5-4. But in the 3rd, New Hampton senior Jack Ring stuck the dagger in, completing his hat trick to give New Hampton a 6-4 lead. Ring's 4th goal of the game was an empty-netter to make it a 7-4 final. With the win, the Huskies avenged the 3-0 loss they suffered Jan. 18th at Dexter. Since then, New Hampton has gone 5-1-1, and has scored 19 goals over its last 3 games. For New Hampton, Ring (4g,1a) was joined by senior Marcus Joughin (3a), junior Cole Hipkin (2g), and senior D Stephen Ardagna (2a). For Dexter, senior John McElaney (1g,2a) and junior Matt Copponi (2g) were the top scorers. With the win, and depending on the other scores tonight, New Hampton (18-7-2) sneaks into the #16 slot in RPI, thus becoming a TUC. Dexter has 3 losses in its last 7 games -- to Thayer, LA, and, today, New Hampton. They are 19-4-0.
Worcester Academy 5, Portsmouth Abbey 3 -- Worcester got goals from 5 different scorers. Same goes for the Abbey. WA senior Henry DiNapoli (23/26) got the win; PA junior Nate Hopkins's effort -- 47 saves on 51 shots -- goes for naught. WA is two games over .500 at 12-10-1. PA falls to 2-16-1.
Tilton 5 @ Holderness 0 -- Tilton got goals from 5 different scorers and senior G Justin Lee (23/23) posted the shutout. Tilton outshot Holderness, 42-23. The Rams improve to 12-5-4.
@ St. Mark's 8, Brooks 2 -- Brendan Gibbons (1g,3a), Von Mabbs (1g,2a), Danny Ciccarello (1g,2a), and junior d-man Ian Moore (2g) led the Lions attack. Senior Charlie Alcorn scored both Brooks goals, and Parker Sondag had an assist on both of them. St. Mark's improves to 16-3-1. Their losses have come to Dexter, Belmont Hill, and Rivers, and, as of the moment, they are #13 in RPI.
@ Millbrook 5, Albany Academy 2 -- Senior Andrew Kimball (2g), junior Jake Percival (1g,1a), junior Shane Albert (2a), and senior D Bauer Morrissey (2a) provided the offense. Sophomore G Jake Hugessen (17/19) got the win. Millbrook is 6-0-1 over its last seven, 17-7-1 on the season and #11 in RPI.
#7 Nobles 3 @ Governor's 2 (OT) -- An OT goal from senior F Robert Lapsley, assisted by Roman Tacelli and Aidan Lyons, lifted Nobles to the road win. Casey Severo scored in the first for the Bulldogs, but Gov's came back in the second with goals from Jack Pascucci and Drew Chase. Jack Cronin got a crucial PPG in the third, from David Jacobs and Severo, to tie it at 2-2 and send it to OT. Both goalies, Nobles' senior Marc Smith (40/42) and Gov's senior Drake Wheelden (30/33), had strong games. Nobles has had only one loss since the Flood-Marr, and that came at Lawrence on Jan. 15th. The following week, they avenged that with a 3-2 win at home. They also have a couple of ties in that span, to KUA and St. Seb's.
Roxbury Latin 4 @ Middlesex 2 -- Junior Bobby Luca had 2 goals, and sophomore JoJo Dable and senior Joey Ryan one apiece. Senior Mikey Jones (23/25) took care of business between the pipes.
@ #6 KUA 6, Andover 0 -- Seniors Sullivan Mack (2g), Zach Whitehead (1g,1a), and Tomas Mazura (2a), as well as defensemen Nick Bernardo (2a), and Andy Noel (2a) led the KUA scorers. Junior Zak Brice (16/16) earned the shutout. The Wildcats fired 51 shots at Andover senior G Charlie Archer. KUA (19-4-1) has won 7 in a row since a Jan. 22nd loss at Deerfield. Mack's two goals give him 34 on the season, and Mazura's assists give him 47.
Rivers 3 @ St. George's 2 -- Sophomore Mel Mortarelli's third period goal turned out to be the game-winner. Rivers senior G Casen Janko (22/24) earned the win; St. George's junior G Owen Hipple (20/23) took the loss. With the win, Rivers moves to a game above .500 at 10-9-1.
Tabor 5 @ Milton 3 -- Seawolves' sophomore G Matthew Gover came up with 42 saves, while Jake Cady (2g,1a) and Morgan Winters (1g,2a) led the offense. Cady's second goal was an ENG.
@ Canterbury 6, Trinity-Pawling 2 -- Junior G Peter Papadopoulos (45/47) came up with a huge game to lead the Saints to their third win of the season. Andrew Mancini (2g), Kenny Maxwell (1g,1a), Matt Boczar (1g,1a) led Canterbury's offense. T-P had the edge in shots, 47-37.
@ #10 St. Sebastian's 4, Belmont Hill 0 -- Seb's got 4 goals, all in the second period, and all from different skaters. Senior G Luke Garrity (18/18) earned his fourth shutout of the season. The Arrows improve to 14-5-1.
@ Pomfret 2, Choate 2 -- Senior Tyler Mitchell scored both Pomfret goals. Junior Zach Vandale and senior John Russo scored for the Wild Boars. The goalies, Choate's Tyler McDermott (33/35) and Pomfret's Andrew Shearson (24/26), both had strong games.
Berwick 5 @ Hebron 2 -- Senior Tyler Gaulin (1g,2a) led Berwick's scorers, and senior G Alex Ramsay kicked out 29 of 31 shots. Berwick is 12-10-1.
MAHL PLAYOFFS (semifinal): Lawrenceville 2, The Hun School 1-- Senior G TJ Semptimphelter (28/29) picked up the win, and senior D Lachlan Getz and senior F Trey Croddick supplied all the offense needed -- and not a bit more. Next Wednesday, L'ville will play Hill, a 6-2 winner over Portledge in tonight's other semi, for the MAHL championship.
MAHL PLAYOFFS (semifinal): Hill 6, Portledge 2 -- Hill got 2 goals from Ross Morrison and 3 assists from Jack McLaughlin. Sean Parker (21/23) earned the win.
Tues. 2/11/20
Spartans #1 in USHR Weekly Prep Poll
Lawrence Academy (16-2-0) holds the #1 spot in this week's USHR Prep Poll, and faces a busy week with a game at Thayer Wednesday, then back home for games against St. Seb's (Fri.) and St. Paul's (Sat.).
As for Wednesday's game, the two teams played each other tough on Jan. 18th, a 6-4 win for LA with an empty-netter at the end. Expect Thayer to be motivated to even the score on their home ice.
USHR Prep Poll, Week of Feb. 10, 2020
Sun. 2/9/20 -- Please send updates/corrections to news@ushr.com. Thank you.
Prep Composite Schedule, Week of Feb. 10, 2020
Mon. Feb. 10, 2020
Rivers @ St. Mark's, 5:30 pm
Wed. Feb. 12, 2020
Tilton @ Holderness, 2:00 pm
Gunnery @ Avon Old Farms, 2:30 pm
Hotchkiss @ Westminster, 2:30 pm
Trinity-Pawling @ Canterbury, 2:30 pm
Northfield Mt. Hermon @ Williston Northampton, 2:45 pm
Kent @ Berkshire, 3:00 pm
Portsmouth Abbey @ Worcester Academy, 4:00 pm
Bridgton Academy @ Kents Hill, 4:00 pm
Loomis Chaffee @ Deerfield, 4:15 pm
BB&N @ Groton, 4:30 pm
Dexter @ New Hampton, 4:30 pm
Albany Academy @ Millbrook, 4:30 pm
Andover @ Kimball Union, 4:30 pm
St. Paul's @ Brewster Academy, 4:30 pm
Berwick @ Hebron, 4:30 pm
Taft @ Salisbury, 4:30 pm
Belmont Hill @ St. Sebastian's, 4:30 pm
Brooks @ St. Mark's, 4:30 pm
Noble & Greenough @ Governor's, 4:45 pm
Rivers @ St. George's, 4:45 pm
Exeter @ Proctor, 5:00 pm
Lawrence Academy @ Thayer, 5:00 pm
Vermont Academy @ Stanstead College, 5:00 pm
Roxbury Latin @ Middlesex, 5:00 pm
Tabor @ Milton, 5:30 pm
Choate @ Pomfret, 5:30 pm
Thurs. Feb. 13, 2020
Hill School @ Delbarton, 4:00 pm
Fri. Feb. 14, 2020
New Hampton @ Kimball Union, 4:30 pm
Portsmouth Abbey @ Groton, 5:00 pm
Albany Academy @ Exeter, 5:00 pm
Cushing @ St. Mark's, 5:00 pm
Thayer @ Belmont Hill, 5:00 pm
Middlesex @ BB&N, 5:00 pm
Choate @ Westminster, 5:30 pm
Andover @ Governor's, 5:30 pm
St. Sebastian's @ Lawrence Academy, 5:30 pm
Brewster Academy @ North Yarmouth Academy, 6:00 pm
Winchendon @ Vermont Academy, 6:00 pm
Brunswick @ Gunnery, 6:00 pm
Académie Saint-Louis @ Lawrenceville, 6:15 pm
Stanstead College @ Hebron, 7:30 pm
Sat. Feb. 15, 2020
North Yarmouth Academy vs. Stanstead College, 11:30 am -- at Bowdoin College
Millbrook @ Williston Northampton, 1:00 pm
Harvey @ Portsmouth Abbey, 1:00 pm
Belmont Hill @ BB&N, 1:00 pm
Milton @ Noble & Greenough, 1:45 pm
Hoosac @ St. Sebastian's, 2:00 pm
Roxbury Latin @ Rivers, 2:15 pm
Berwick @ Proctor, 2:15 pm
Albany Academy vs. Hebron, 2:30 pm -- at Phillips Exeter
Brunswick @ Berkshire, 2:30 pm
Governor's @ Tabor, 3:00 pm
Pomfret @ Westminster, 3:00 pm
St. Paul's @ Lawrence Academy, 3:00 pm
Middlesex @ St. Mark's, 3:00 pm
St. George's @ Brooks, 3:45 pm
Pingree @ Brewster Academy, 3:45 pm
Hotchkiss @ Taft, 4:30 pm
Exeter @ Choate, 5:00 pm
Avon Old Farms @ Deerfield, 5:00 pm
Académie Saint-Louis @ Hill School, 5:00 pm
Canterbury @ Cushing, 5:00 pm
Salisbury @ Loomis Chaffee, 5:00 pm
Northfield Mt. Hermon @ Worcester Academy, 5:30 pm
Lawrenceville @ Gunnery, 5:30 pm
Holderness @ Kimball Union, 6:00 pm
Kent @ Trinity-Pawling, 7:00 pm
Sun. Feb. 16, 2020
Académie Saint-Louis @ Wyoming Seminary, 10:00 am
Stanstead College @ Kents Hill, 1:00 pm
Winchendon @ Northfield Mt. Hermon, 2:00 pm
Mon. Feb. 17, 2020
Holderness @ Brewster Academy, 3:30 pm
Kimball Union @ Vermont Academy, 3:30 pm
Loomis Chaffee @ Hotchkiss, 4:30 pm
Worcester Academy @ Groton, 4:45 pm
Gunnery @ Canterbury, 5:00 pm
New Hampton @ St. Paul's, 5:30 pm
Sat. 2/8/20
Prep Highlights of Sat. Feb. 8, 2020
St. Mark's Comeback Stuns St. Seb's
Belmont Hill, Up 4-0, Settles for Tie
KUA's Mack: Hat Trick and an OT GWG
Dexter Soph D Matt Fusco's Hat Trick
Kimball, Percival Lead Millbrook
St. Mark's 6 @ #9 St. Sebastian's 3 -- St. Mark's picked up a big win today, as #9 St. Sebastian's blew a 3-0 first-period lead, giving up six unanswered goals, the last two being empty-netters -- and bowing 6-3. The Lions' big guns -- defenseman Ian Moore (1g,2a), and forwards Brendan Gibbons (2g), Dom Murphy (2g), and Danny Ciccarello (1g,1a) -- led the charge for St. Seb's alum Carl Corazzini's Lions. This was the biggest win of St. Mark's season...thus far. The Lions are 15-2-1 and have won 7 in a row.
Worcester Academy 2 @ Lawrenceville 1 -- Senior G Lucas LaRoche kicked out 41 of the 42 shots he faced to lead Worcester Academy. Rory White and Ryan Prewitt each had a goal and an assist. Karim Garifulin had 2 assists. Mike Rocco scored L'ville's sole goal. TJ Semptimphelter (19/21) took the loss. Worcester is now a game over .500 at 11-10-1.
@ NMH 5, Vermont Academy 1 -- Joe Solimine (2g,1a), Reese Farrell (1g,1a), Parker Mabbett (2a), and Nicholas LeClaire (2a) led the Hoggers attack. NMH outshot VA, 52-10.
@ Pingree 5, Kents Hill 3 -- Brendan Driscoll (2g), Hazen Pike (1g,1a), Sam Murray (2a), Nicholas Ferullo (2a), Ryan Clark (1g), and Clayton Smith (1g) led the way for the Highlanders. Clark's goal was the first of the freshman's prep career.
@ Rivers 4, Belmont Hill 4 -- Rivers, down 4-0 after the first, scored two in the second, and two more in the third to tie it up. For Rivers, Phillip Tresca scored a pair of goals, and Ryan Bell and Matt Cormier had one apiece. For Belmont Hill, junior D Tyler Rubin had 2 goals, and forwards Ryan McGuire and James Fisher each had one. Rivers outshot Bel Hill, 32-20.
Middlesex 1 @ Brooks 0 -- Middlesex sophomore Henry Cohen scored the only goal that mattered and Middlesex junior G Jordan Busner (33/33) earned the shutout. Brooks soph Jake Inzirillo (20/21) took a tough loss. With the win, Middlesex moves a game above .500 (10-9-1).
#6 KUA 7 @ New Hampton 6 (OT) -- Insanity. First off, only 4 of the game's 13 goals were scored in 5x5 play. Second, New Hampton led 5-3 after two periods, but KUA outscored their hosts 3-1 in the third period, just to get the game to OT, where KUA senior Sullivan Mack scored the OT game winner. Mack had quite the day, notching four goals and an assist to give him a 5-point night. Senior C Tomas Mazura (1g,3a) was another top scorer in this one. And D Teddy Griffin had 3 assists. For New Hampton, Cole Hipkin (2g,1a), Isaac MacLeod (2g,1a), and Marcus Joughin (3a) were the big guns. KUA (18-4-1) and New Hampton (17-7-2) could meet again in the Lakes Region Tournament.
#4 Dexter 7 @ Andover 2 -- Dexter sophomore D Matt Fusco had a hat trick, and Connor Blanchard, Culin Wilson, Jack Dempsey, and Ben Raymond each had two points. Dexter sophomore G Ryan Kazmouz (33/35) earned the win. Andover senior Charlie Archer (49/56) took the loss.
@ Millbrook 5, Hill 1 -- Millbrook extended its unbeaten streak to six games (5-0-1) behind a hat trick from senior Andrew Kimball and 2 goals from junior Jake Percival. Junior Shane Albert had 3 assists. In goal, junior Owen Hains (23/24) earned the win. Millbrook is now 16-7-1.
@ Proctor 5, Tabor 3 -- In a neutral site game held at Warrior Arena in Boston, Proctor got goals from 5 different scorers. Senior Michael Cosentino had a pair of goals for Tabor.
@ Tilton 4, Exeter 4 -- Tilton PG Maxwell Cocchi (2g,1a) secured the tie for the Rams with a PPG at 9:28 of the third. Exeter's goals came from 4 different players. Tilton outshot Exeter, 42-29.
@ Albany Academy 5, Winchendon 1 -- Despite being a penalty-filled game, only one goal came on the powerplay. AA junior G Andrew Palena (30/31) earned the win. Winchendon senior Max Caouette (33/38) took the loss.
Wed. 2/5/20 -- This is the first time in my life it's taken me three days to wrap up a game account. I'm almost embarrassed to use it, but sometimes life -- the non-hockey part -- intrudes. Hope you understand. Enjoy the story. It was a fun game. -- CW
Avon's Cyprian Strikes in OT, Edging Westy, 4-3
Avon, Conn. -- A Nick Cyprian goal with 47 seconds remaining in OT gave #1 Avon Old Farms a 4-3 win over rival Westminster here today.
On the winning goal, Gentry Shamburger won the faceoff in Westminster's end, getting the puck to Timothy Heinke, whose shot rebounded to Cyprian, who wasted no time firing it back on net before Westy goaltender Bennett Ostern could reset himself after the initial save.
With the win, the Winged Beavers are now 17-2-0, with six games remaining.
Today, with an early 1:30 pm start on getaway day for Winter Weekend, the usual boistrous contingents of students from Avon and Westminster -- the latter just nine miles up the road -- was largely missing.
But the game was a good one.
Westminster started strong and had the edge in play in the first, but it wasn't until the final minute of the period, on the powerplay, that the Martlets would cash in, with junior Brennan Horn, after a flurry of close-in shots, scoring the game's first goal off a rebound in front of Avon junior goaltender Connor Callaghan. Assists went to senior defensemen Ned Blanchard and Ryan Pineault.
Blanchard and Pineault, along with junior Justin Louette, are smallish, mobile d-men -- and the three Westy players who, to this observer's eyes, stood out consistently.
"It wasn't a great period for us," Avon head coach John Gardner said afterward. "(Westminster) played a really good road game. They chipped pucks in, got behind our D, and forechecked effectively."
"They have really mobile, puck-moving D. We knew that. Their D did a great job beating our first forechecker," Gardner added.
In the second, Avon raised its level of competitiveness a notch. It finally paid off when, with Westy's Wyatt Pastor in the box, Avon center Tabor Heaslip unleashed a shot from the top of the left wing faceoff circle, beating Westminster junior goaltender Bennett Ostern bar-down at the 3:09 mark to make it 1-1.
About five minutes later, Westy would again grab the lead, this time taking advantage of a careless defensive zone pass by an Avon defender that allowed them to keep the puck in the zone. Eventually, it wound up on the stick of sophomore center Danny Judge, who beat Avon's Callaghan at the 8:40 mark.
Less than two minutes later, Drew Tsakounis, Avon's swift-skating junior defenseman and a Penn State recruit, went end-to-end, finishing with a wrister high to the glove side to tie the game at 2-2.
"That sort of sparked everyone," Gardner said.
No doubt, for it took all of 55 seconds for Avon to strike again, this time it was junior Paul Davey, a BC commit, making a nice pass to his center, JP Turner, who simply drove the net, cutting across the top of the crease, and stuffed the puck under Ostern to make it 3-2 Avon. It was the Winged Beavers' first lead of the day.
The game picked up in pace and intensity following Turner's goal, with Avon taking more shots, and creating more chances, but getting nothing for it. Westy almost tied the game, hitting a post.
With 1:15 left, Westminster's Pineault and Avon's Brendan Willliams got into it a bit and were assessed matching minors and misconducts. The period ended with the teams playing 4x4. Shots in the second were 11-11.
In the third period, 5:47 in, Westminster tied the game at 3-3, as defenseman Ned Blanchard, trailing the play uncovered, snuck down the weak side, and beat Callaghan with a wrister.
Avon responded with some heavy pressure on their visitors, both outshooting and outchancing Westminster for the rest of the period.
"We'd been missing the net a lot, but finally started getting pucks on net," Gardner said. "I was saying how we need a greasy goal."
That wouldn't come for a while, not through the last 12 minutes of third, and four-plus minutes of OT.
Finally, with 47 seconds left in OT, Cyprian had some net to shoot at -- and he didn't miss. "The puck was bouncing around off the faceoff," Gardner said, "and Cyprian was in the right place and took a nice shot. It was a little under or over the goalie's glove. He (Westminster junior goalie Ostern) played a good game. They played a really good road game against us."
NOTES:
-- The game wasn't as heated and physical as games between the two schools often are. "Both teams were getting ready to go away, so there wasn't the same atmosphere as we had at that crazy Monday game (Jan. 27 at Westy, a 3-2 Avon win) where there's a lot of adrenaline and everybody is screaming," Gardner said. "Sometimes, it's a really hard game to play."
-- "Today, we gave up three goals," Gardner said, "which I want to say is unusual for us. It's not our M.O. But if you can score four goals, you're OK."
Later, we looked it up, wanting to see how often they had given up three goals this season. They gave up four to Taft in an early December game and then, at their own Christmas tournament, they gave up three goals in consecutive games. In January, though, they went the entire month -- 10 games -- without giving up more than two goals in any game."
-- Senior center Gentry Shamburger visited Boston College on Tuesday. "He'd be a great fourth line player for BC," Gardner said. "He's a character kid. An awesome kid in the locker room. Those are the guys you want to go to war with. He's been with me for four years. He's a great captian and a great leader. That's one thing I have this year -- great leadership -- and 25 and 7 (co-captains Shamburger and Heaslip) lead by example. I love 'em."
-- Gardner said he had hoped to get junior forward Jason Siedem, a BC recruit, back by the end of February. "But it doesn't look like it's going to happen," he said. "He's a difference-maker, the way he controls the puck and the hands he has. Oh my god, if we had him ... I'd say we can beat anybody."
Wed. 2/5/20
Prep Highlights of Wed. Feb. 5, 2020
KUA's Mazura Notches 5 Assists
Berkshire's Baliotti Stays Hot
Machen Wins it for Deerfield in OT
Connors' Late Goal Gives Seb's the W
Dorrington, Hewitt Notch Hat Tricks
Forrest OT Goal Saves Brunswick
@ Gunnery 1, Millbrook 1 -- Gunnery senior G Carmine Andranovich (30/31) and Millbrook junior G Owen Hains (37/38) battled to a 1-1 draw. Millbrook senior F Niko Rexine scored his 20th goal of the season, assisted by Andrew Kimball, in the final minute of the first period. Gunnery's David Andreychuk scored a PPG midway through the second, with Alex Jefferies and Mark D'Agostino assisting.
Proctor 3 @ Brewster 1 -- James Tepper scored two goals, and Ronan Walsh scored what turned out to be the game-winner. Two of the Hornets' three goals were on the PP. In the Brewster net, junior Sam Livecchi gave his team a chance, kicking out 44 of 47 shots. Proctor junior Michael Gilerman (28/29) earned the win for the Hornets, now 11-9-0.
@ Exeter 6, Holderness 1 -- Exeter's Danny Colon (2g,3a), Michael Young (1g,3a), Jack Simon (2g,1a), and Reese Ramirez (1g,1a) led the Exeter attack. Exeter senior G Ryan Welch (29/30) earned the win.
#10 Brunswick 4 @ Lawrenceville 3 (OT) -- A Will Forrest powerplay goal in OT allowed Brunswick (14-4-2) to escape Lawrenceville with a win. Senior Jakub Teply (2g) and sophomore Andon Cerbone (1g,1a) also had goals for the 'Wick. Brunswick junior Alexander Rohlf (17/20) got the win, and L'ville senior TJ Semptimphelter (37/41) took the hard-luck loss.
St. George's 5 @ Middlesex 1 -- Sophomore Matt Kursonis (1g,2a) and Michael Dimascolo (2g) led the Dragons' offense. St. George's junior goaltender Colin Freitas (38/39) got the win. Middlesex had the edge in shots, 39-36.
@ #5 Hotchkiss 3, Choate 1 -- Hotchkiss senior Gavin Puskar had a pair of goals, including the GWG. The senior from New Jersey has been hot over his last 6 games (9g,6a). Hotchkiss's third goal was an empty-netter. Senior G Henry Wilder (1.83/.940) had 18 saves for the win. Choate's Tomas Horak (41/43) was the hard-luck loser.
@ #7 Loomis 5, Williston 5 -- A goal from senior Adam Martin -- his second of the day -- allowed Loomis, playing at home, to escape with a tie. Williston junior G Emile Savoie (56/61) kept his team in the game. Loomis junior Kyle Chauvette (21/26) was in goal for the #7 Pelicans, now 11-3-4.
@ Kent 4, Taft 3 -- Four different players scored goals to lead host Kent past Taft. After a scoreless first period, 5 goals were scored in the second, and two in the third. PG Nick Cullinan scored 2 goals for Taft, and senior Henry Molson (1g,2a) had 3 points. Kent junior Jeremy Siegel (23/26) got the win, and Taft sophomore Mikey Roberts (28/32) took the loss.
@ #4 Dexter 3, Pomfret 1 -- Dexter sophomore G Ryan Kazmouz kicked out 43 of 44 shots to lead his team past Pomfret. Dexter got a goal in the first from Jack Dempsey, and one in the third from Michael Adamson. Matt Fusco scored an empty-netter with 5 seconds left. Pomfret PG Adam Shearson (29/31) took the loss.
@ Berkshire 3, Canterbury 1 -- Junior goaltender Jed Baliotti (1.91/.933) stopped 31 of 32 shots, and senior Aidan Thompson, a Denver recruit, scored the game-winning goal at 10:26 of the third, and added an empty-netter in the final minute to lead Berkshire. Canterbury junior G Peter Papadopoulos (29/31) took the loss.
@ #3 Salisbury 5, Trinity-Pawling 4 -- Junior forward Cole Eichler, with 13 seconds on the clock, scored the game-winner. It was Eichler's third goal of the season. Lucas Mercuri (1g,2a), Cole Vallese (2g), Calem Chau (1g,1a) were Salisbury's top scorers. For T-P, it was Stephen Willey (2g,1a), Jack Gorton (1g,2a), and Frank Djurasevic (1g,1a). Salisbury outshot T-P, 32-28.
@ Tilton 6, Berwick 3 -- PG Mike Tersoni (2g,2a) and senior James Cates (1g,3a) each had 4-point games for Tilton. The Rams outshot Berwick, 57-20.
Groton 3 @ Rivers 2 -- A Marc Borghi PPG with 2:18 left in regulation lifted the Zebras, now 16-5-0, to the win. Junior Ronan Doherty and senior Luke Beckstein assisted on Borghi's game-winner. Sophomore Tommy Giroux (26/28) earned the win; senior Casen Janko (23/26) took the loss.
@ #6 KUA 6, NMH 0 -- Seniors Tomas Mazura (5a), Sullivan Mack (2g,1a), Zach Whitehead (1g,1a), and defenseman Teddy Griffin (1g,1a) led the Wildcats scorers. KUA senior G Veeti Kohvakka (18/18) got the win; NMH senior Connor Hasley (48/54) took the loss. It was Kohvakka's second shutout of the season. It was also the first time this season that Hasley gave up as many as 6 goals in a game. KUA is 18-4-1.
Tabor 4 @ Governor's 1-- Senior G Brandon Sherman turned aside 42 of the 43 shots he faced to lead the Seawolves to the win -- and the end of their 10-game losing streak. Four different scorers lit the lamp for Tabor.
#2 Lawrence Academy 2 @ Belmont Hill 1 -- PPGs from junior F Riley Duran in the second period, and junior D Damien Carfagna in the third gave LA a 2-0 lead. A goal from Bel Hill D Will Killoran cut it to a one-goal game, but that was as close as they could get. LA improves to 16-2-0.
@ St. Mark's 4, Roxbury Latin 1 -- St. Mark's got goals from Danny Ciccarello, Jackson Coutu, Trevor O'Brien, and Luke Sullivan. Brendan Gibbons had a pair of assists. St. Mark's is now 13-2-1,
Worcester Academy 3, Portsmouth Abbey 1 -- Senior Rory White (2g,1a) figured in all 3 of the Hilltoppers' goals. WA senior Henry DiNapoli (18/19) got the win; Portsmouth Abbey junior Nate Hopkins (42/45) was the hard-luck loser. With the win, WA moves a game above .500 at 10-9-1.
#8 Nobles 4 @ Thayer 2 -- Casey Severo (1g,2a), Jack Cronin (2g) and David Jacobs (2a) led the Nobles offense. Senior D Peirce Kenney also had a goal for Nobles. For Thayer, junior Sasha Teleguine (1g,1a) figured in both their goals. Senior G Marc Smith (25/27) got the win. Thayer senior Gavin FitzPatrick (21/25) took the loss. Nobles is 13-4-2.
@ New Hampton 6, St. Paul's 2 -- Tied 2-2 after the 1st period, New Hampton scored four unanswered goals. Cole Hipken (1g,2a), Marcus Joughin (3a) and Dartmouth commit Isaac MacLeod (2g) led the Huskie's attack. New Hampton PG goaltender Robbie Farrell (39/41) earned the win. SPS senior Charlie Murphy (38/44) took the loss.
@ Cushing 9, Hoosac 1 -- Max Dorrington and Jake Hewitt each had hat tricks, with both scoring one goal in each period. Connnor Wood and D Lukas Gustafsson each had 4 assists. Cushing outshot their guests, 50-9.
Deerfield 3 @ Andover 2 (OT) -- Andover junior F Drew Malatesta, with the goalie pulled, scored the tying goal with 12 seconds left in regulation. But it was Deerfield senior Alton Machen who scored the OT game winner -- with 10 seconds left. Machen (2g), Alex Robert (1g,1a) and D Eamon Doheny (2a) each had two points for the Big Green. Deerfield senior G Justin Prete (23/25) earned the win; Andover senior Charlie Archer (37/40) took a tough loss.
#9 St. Sebastian's 2 @ Milton 1 -- A Liam Connors goal at 16:58 of the 3rd period gave the Arrows the win. St. Seb's senior G Luke Garrity (23/24) got the win; Milton junior Chris DeMers (33/35) took the tough loss.
Pingree 5 @ BB&N 2 -- Ian Driscoll (1g,2a), brother Brendan Driscoll (2g), and D Joey Silverio (2a) led the Pingree attack. Junior G Cam Brown kicked out 20 of 22 shots for the win. BB&N sophomore G Gabriel Marcoux (42/47) was kept busy.
Tues. 2/4/20
Winged Beavers Fly; are New #1 in USHR Prep Poll
For the first time this season, Avon has ascended to the top spot in the USHR Weekly Poll. The 10 teams -- and it's a tough group to break into -- have collectively lost only 3 games since last week's poll. The losses? Here they are. Dexter lost to Lawrence Academy, 6-2. Loomis lost to Avon, 7-0. And St. Sebastian's lost to Thayer, 5-1.
USHR Prep Poll, Week of Feb. 3, 2020
Sun. 1/2/2020 -- Latest update: Fri. Feb. 7, 1:10 pm
Prep Composite Schedule, Week of Feb. 3, 2020
Mon. Feb. 3, 2020
Middlesex @ Worcester Academy, 4:00 pm
Twin City Thunder U18 @ Hebron, 4:30 pm
St. George's @ Portsmouth Abbey, 4:45 pm
Trinity-Pawling @ Hotchkiss, 4:45 pm
Westminster @ Williston Northampton, 5:30 pm
Wed. Feb. 5, 2020
Westminster @ Avon Old Farms, 1:30 pm
Millbrook @ Gunnery, 2:30 pm
Canterbury @ Berkshire, 2:45 pm
Holderness @ Exeter, 2:45 pm
St. George's @ Middlesex, 2:45 pm
Proctor @ Brewster Academy, 3:00 pm
North Yarmouth Academy @ Hebron, 3:00 pm
Northfield Mt. Hermon @ Kimball Union, 3:00 pm
Pomfret @ Dexter, 3:15 pm
Choate @ Hotchkiss, 4:00 pm
Deerfield @ Andover, 4:00 pm
Rice Memorial @ Vermont Academy, 4:00 pm
Brunswick @ Lawrenceville, 4:00 pm
Worcester Academy @ Portsmouth Abbey, 4:00 pm
Trinity-Pawling @ Salisbury, 4:15 pm
Groton @ Rivers, 4:30 pm
St. Paul's @ New Hampton, 4:30 pm
Taft @ Kent, 4:30 pm
Williston Northampton @ Loomis Chaffee, 4:30 pm
Roxbury Latin @ St. Mark's, 4:30 pm
Portledge @ Wyoming Seminary, 4:45 pm
Berwick @ Tilton, 4:45 pm
Tabor @ Governor's, 5:00 pm
Lawrence Academy @ Belmont Hill, 5:00 pm
Noble & Greenough @ Thayer, 5:00 pm
St. Sebastian's @ Milton, 5:45 pm
Hoosac @ Cushing, 6:00 pm
Pingree @ BB&N, 6:00 pm
Thurs. Feb. 6, 2020
Trinity-Pawling @ Choate, 4:45 pm
Fri. Feb. 7, 2020
Hoosac vs. Upper Canada College, 12:00 pm -- at Port Hope Tournament
New Hampton @ St. Paul's, 2:30 pm -- ppd.; makeup date is Mon. 2/17 @ 5:30 pm
Kimball Union @ Holderness, 3:30 pm
Cushing @ Vermont Academy, 3:30 pm
Brunswick @ Albany Academy, 4:00 pm
Noble & Greenough @ Tabor, 5:00 pm
Andover @ Belmont Hill, 5:00 pm
Thayer @ BB&N, 5:00 pm
Pingree @ St. Mark's, 5:15 pm
Hebron @ Lawrence Academy, 5:30 pm -- postponed; makeup date TBD
North Yarmouth Academy @ Governor's, 6:30 pm -- cancelled; will not be made up
Worcester Academy @ Hill School, 7:00 pm
Delbarton @ Pope Francis, 8:00 pm
Hoosac vs. TBD, 8:00 pm -- at Port Hope Tournament
Sat. Feb. 8, 2020
Hoosac vs. TBD, 10:00 am -- at Port Hope Tournament
Worcester Academy @ Lawrenceville, 1:00 pm
Kents Hill @ Pingree, 1:30 pm
Winchendon @ Albany Academy, 2:00 pm
Belmont Hill @ Rivers, 2:15 pm
St. Mark's @ St. Sebastian's, 2:30 pm
Vermont Academy @ Northfield Mt. Hermon, 3:00 pm
Dexter @ Andover, 3:15 pm
Roxbury Latin @ Milton, 3:30 pm
Kimball Union @ New Hampton, 3:30 pm
Governor's @ Thayer, 3:30 pm
Middlesex @ Brooks, 3:30 pm
Hill School @ Millbrook, 4:00 pm
Berwick @ St. George's, 4:00 pm
St. Andrew's College @ Shattuck-St. Mary's, 4:00 pm (S)
Exeter @ Tilton, 5:00 pm
Wyoming Seminary @ Rice Memorial, 5:45 pm
Tabor vs. Proctor, 6:00 pm 5:30 pm -- new venue is Warrior Arena, Boston 5:30 pm
Sun. Feb. 9, 2020
Wyoming Seminary @ Rice Memorial, 10:00 am
St. Andrew's College @ Shattuck-St. Mary's, 10:00 am (S)
Hoosac vs. TBD, 11:00 am -- at Port Hope Tournament
Mon. Feb. 10, 2020
Rivers @ St. Mark's, 5:30 pm -- makeup of Sat. Jan. 18th snowout
Sat. 1/1/20
Lovett, #4 Lawrence Top #3 Dexter, 6-2
Brookline, Mass. -- Lawrence junior center Conor Lovett scored a pair of goals, including what turned out to be the game-winner, as visiting Lawrence came to Dexter with a purpose, never wavered, held a lead throughout, and emerged with a 6-2 win here Saturday.
Nothing like a compliment from the coach of the losing team to put things in perspective. After the game, Dexter coach Dan Donato said, "For my money, the best player on the ice was #3 for them (Lovett). I asked where he was going after the game and he's not committed, which is crazy. He's smart, he goes in the dirty areas -- just an all-around good player."
LA seemed to have a step on Dexter from the get-go, forcing their hosts to chase the game, not a position they are accustomed to. Make no mistake, Dexter, without senior D John Fusco and senior F Aidan Connolly to injuries, was hampered in Saturday's loss. But in the big picture, it's a bit of a wash, as LA lost its #1 goalie, Sacred Heart commit Brandon Milberg, to a season-ending injury on January 4th. When junior Tomas Pientka, a native of Bratislava, Slovakia in his first year in prep school, took over in net, the team GAA went up -- even as LA kept winning. In Saturday's win he was fine, and looked much more at ease in net than he did in his earlier starts.
"I'm very disappointed, but I think the better team won today," Donato said, "I thought they were hungrier. I think they're a hot team right now. We were down a couple guys but no excuses. I just thought the better team won today. It's that simple."
LA's David Sacco, who was flying all game, put LA on the board first, on a powerplay goal at 11:14 of the first. Just 1:27 into the second, an LA player, off a mad scramble in front of Dexter freshman goalie Dylan Silverstein, got the last poke at it, and it went in. In our notes, we have the goal being scored by Holt Oliphant, but on the scoresheet it read Clarence Beltz, who wasn't even on this reporter's line chart. At any rate, if that is indeed correct, it was the first prep point for Beltz, a freshman from Montana. And the goal, an even-strength tally, made it 2-0 and sucked the air right out of the building.
But the Dexter fans had something to cheer about when, on the powerplay, a shot from the point by sophomore D Matt Fusco was tipped by BU commit Doug Grimes at 7:30 of the second period. That perked the fans up, and the Dexter players too. They became more physical -- for about two minutes, and then they inexplicably stopped hitting.
"I thought we played physically hard for about three or four shifts in the whole game," Donato said.
The backbreaker was the goal that bedevils every coach: giving one up in the final minute of a period. But that's what happened. With the teams skating even strength, a shot by Lovett looked like it deflected off a Dexter player with 53 seconds left in the second.
Midway through the third, Lovett struck for his second goal. With the teams playing 5x4, Dexter's Silverstein gave up a big rebound that Lovett swept into the net to make it 4-1 LA.
Dexter cut the LA lead to 4-2 when Dexter defenseman Brendan O'Donnell carried the puck down the right side and beat Pientka with a wide-angle shot at 11:25.
But LA came right back, as Providence commit Riley Duran, on the PP, tipped home a Kyle Furey shot from the point at 14:03.
With 1:29 remaining, Holt Oliphant added an empty-netter to account for the 6-2 final. It marked the first time this season that Dexter has given up six goals in a game.
"I'm certainly not putting the game on our goalie," Donato said, "because I thought we gave them point-blank chances to score: a back-door goal, a player walking down the slot after not back-checking. We just have to clean things up."
"It's a tough loss to swallow. We'll have a nice hard practice Monday, and try to find some answers," Donato said.
At the other end of the hall, LA head coach Robbie Barker said, "The big thing for us was just keeping it simple. We did that -- chipping it off the glass, no unforced turnovers through the neutral zone, and getting the puck in deep and establishing the forecheck. Our guys skated hard, shift after shift and wave after wave in every period from the drop of the puck. They worked their tails off, and they deserved this."
NOTES:
Although it is true that Conor Lovett has not committed to a Div. I school, Providence, Merrimack, UConn, and UNH are all said to be interested. Providence coach Nate Leaman, who was in attendance, already has commitments from two current Spartans in junior center Blake Humphrey and junior RW Riley Duran.
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