Canton, MA – Neutral Zone was in attendance at the Canton Ice House for the Catholic Conference matchup between the visiting Malden Catholic Lancers and the host Xaverian Hawks. The game was competitive and was up for grabs until the final buzzer sounded. Both teams played a fast and physical brand of hockey and generated several scoring chances. Both goalies, Brendan Flanagan of Xaverian and Brendan Zinck of MC were strong all night and prevented some sure-thing goals. MC would go ahead at the end of the second period and would hang on for a 3-2 road win.
The first period started quickly and MC was on the board before everyone was settled into their seats. Just 17 seconds into the contest, Joseph Gaffney entered the zone with speed, drove wide and threaded a cross-ice pass to captain Nick Julian who tapped the puck in backdoor. The game would be back and forth for the rest of the period and MC looked to be heading to the room up by a goal. However, after a broken play, Xaverian forward Max Lockwood grabbed a loose puck, spun around and ripped a shot past the goalie to tie the game at 1s.
The second period was much of the same with portions of the period being played in each team’s end. The game was not overly physical and there ended up being only a few man-advantage opportunities. MC would take the lead with 11:30 to go in the period when Owen Delvalle found Julian who one-timed the puck past the goalie. He did not get all of it, but just enough to get by the outstretched glove of Flanagan. Xaverian would tie the game a few minutes later. After a transition through the neutral zone, Kevin Parrish slid a shot from the slot on net. It was initially saved, but Sean Steck was there to finish the play and tie the game. Again, the game would change in the final minute of play. With just 17 seconds left in the period, and on the power play, Delvalle placed a shot on net. The rebound came to Anthony Ghergurovich who tucked a backhander up under the bar. MC headed into the final frame up 3-2.
The score would hold in the final period. Xaverian pulled the goalie with just over a minute left and would also benefit from an MC penalty. However, they could not connect on the 6-on-4 and the game would end as a 3-2 final for the Lancers.
Three Stars:
- F Nick Julian, Malden Catholic
- F Owen Delvalle, Malden Catholic
- F Max Lockwood, Xaverian