Canton, MA – Neutral Zone was in attendance virtually at the Canton Ice House to watch a Catholic Conference matchup between St. John’s Shrewsbury and BC High. The Catholic Conference is playing a league-only schedule this year comprised of 10 games (home and home versus each team). The games are broken into two 22.5 minute halves. This was the second meeting of the year between the two, with St. John’s skating away with a 3-2 win on February 3rd.
The first half was played to a 0-0 draw with each team generating some good chances. BC High had the slight edge in the play and had a power play in which they generated several good scoring chances. The play was generally fast through the middle of the ice with each team doing a good job limiting second chances on goalies Ray Carabin (East Bridgewater, MA) and Ryan Dailida (Shrewsbury, MA).
The second half started fast and just over three minutes in, BC High struck first. Jackie Murphy (Dorchester, MA) cut down the right side and slid the puck to Declan Joyce (Hanover, MA) who walked in alone and slid the puck by the goalie. SJS would tie the game after some sustained pressure once their power play had ended. After a shot from the point from Mitch Albert (Northborough, MA), the puck bounced to Jacob Mrva (Shrewsbury, MA) who batted the rebound into the net. With about 10 minutes to go in the game, James Marshall (Weymouth, MA) controlled the puck on an odd-man break, passed cross-ice to Ryan Flaherty (Milton, MA) who one-timed the puck into the cage to give the Eagles a 2-1 lead. The Pioneers would pull the goalie trying to get the equalizer, but Brian Bulger (Norwell, MA) would put the game out of reach with an empty netter. The Eagles would skate away with a well-deserved 3-1 win.
Three Stars:
- F Ryan Flaherty, BCH
- G Ray Carabin, BCH
- F Jacob Mrva, SJS
NZ Notes
This game was competitive and wouldn’t be decided until the second half. Both teams play fast and are opportunistic. BC High capitalized on its chances and was able to skate away with a 3-1 win.
For the home team, Ryan Flaherty had a nice night. He was good on both sides of the puck and was in and out of the soft spots in the offensive zone. He had more than a few point blank chances and was able to finish a cross-ice feed for the eventual game winner. He has a long stride and reach and has good hands to break down defenders off the line rush. James Marshall was also strong. He made some nice touch plays in space to create positive scoring chances. He is smart through the neutral zone and will layer passes into space for his teammates. Paul Terry (Arlington, MA) was active on the back end. He plays fast and looks to move the puck north-south. He made a few nice rushes through the neutral zone and made defenders miss in space. He has a quick release and shoots in-stride well. Ray Carabin was solid in between the pipes. He stayed square to shooters and kept rebounds to a minimum. He battled hard and earned a win.
For the visitors, Jacob Mrva was noticeable all night. He is a big body with a long reach and stride. He gets around the ice well and protects the puck with his frame. He was always around the net and jumped on rebounds. He has the hands and skill to make plays in tight. He is patient and doesn’t rush plays. Sean Farrell (Lancaster, MA) was also noticeable. He is another big, strong winger that drives the puck wide. He is tough to slow down once he gets to speed. He is good along the walls and uses his body well to protect the puck. He drives the net and stops on the post. On the back end, Mitch Albert was solid. He plays a good amount of minutes for the Pioneers and is used in all situations. He has a big shot from the point and is not afraid to jump into the play. He takes calculated chances and has a good first step to jump on loose pucks.