Canton, MA – It may be early in the season, but the Bishops of Archbishop Williams are starting to heat up. With two games now under their belt, they are 2-0, dispatching the Trojans from Bridgewater-Raynham the day after Christmas by a final score of 4-1.
Since we were not able to attend the game in-person, we instead caught most of the action via LiveBarn. It’s worth noting that the first few minutes of the game were not shown due to technical issues with the cameras, but no matter: on they went. Also, we didn’t have a game-time roster for Bridgewater-Raynham, but we hope to add one to the site soon after this article publishes.
The first period featured a lot of back and forth play and plenty of chances, but nothing concrete to show for it on the scoreboard. The second period yielded a bit more as it took only a matter of a few seconds for senior sniper Conor Kelly to pick up a puck off the wall, sneak by a defender and throw a beautiful 50 foot sauce pass to his waiting linemate senior James O’Toole who buried one to make it 1-0 Bishops. Just six minutes later that same duo made more happen, with the roles being reversed. This time O’Toole fed Kelly who fired one home to make it 2-0, which led Coach Dave Patrick to call a timeout for Bridgewater-Raynham.
Shortly after that things began to settle down for the Trojans and they started to right the ship. There was reason for optimism as the third period got underway, just three minutes in, senior forward Dean Mason for Bridgewater-Raynham moved to the top of the circle and shot one low and on net which deflected off an AWHS defender’s stick which snuck past the stonewall netminder Nick Buccella to cut the lead in half: 2-1. But that would be as close as the Trojans would get. A few minutes later junior Jackson Sylvester got to the front of the net to tip home a shot from the half wall to make it 3-1 and the Bishops would add an empty netter from junior Lucas LaMonica. 4-1 was your final.
Three Stars:
- F Conor Kelly, AWHS (1G, 2A)
- F James O’Toole, AWHS (1G, 1A)
- G Nick Buccella, AWHS
NZ’s Five Takes
(Note: This segment will be a little different this season, in the interest of getting these recaps out the door faster. Deeper scouting insights on the players we liked will live on NeutralZone.net.)
- This is not going to be what you’re used to in watching past seasons of MIAA hockey: fewer scrums, a more methodical pace and a lot of players working to find their grooves in a shortened regular season due to the pandemic.
- Archies are already starting to gel early in the season: executing crisp skill plays consistently and making good decisions with the puck. Their leadership and upperclassmen familiarity will allow them to find success early.
- Bridgewater-Raynham plays physical and has some team speed, they also made Grade A chances tough for the opposition by clamping down around the net and maintaining active sticks to block shots/create turnovers.
- AWHS F Conor Kelly is the real deal: he had a strong junior season last year and he looks even better as a senior. He will be much sought after next season.
- AWHS D Alex Umbro has been both consistent and athletic at both ends of the ice. He has great vision, open hips, smooth pivots and a willingness to play the body: the complete package at the MIAA level.