Randolph, MA – In what is a fortuitous bit of scheduling, the Final and Consolation of the Arrow Sports Group HS Holiday Classic was scheduled for Friday evening whereas most of the other Christmas tournaments wrapped up one day earlier. As such, we made the drive down to Zapustas Arena in Randolph for both games, and an early season viewing of the South Shore’s best. In the 4pm game, Braintree took on Archbishop Williams while the 6pm contest would feature Hingham vs Xaverian in an early top draw matchup. This was our Director’s first time at the Zap and we quite enjoyed the old barn, plus the music selection was the most eclectic we’ve heard so far this season. But we digress…onto the games…
Championship Game: Hingham vs Xaverian
Randolph, MA – In the first period, we knew what kind of game was on tap from the first minute as a couple of heavy hits delivered in open ice proved to us that the stronger and heavier team would likely come out on top. This was a battle for 17 minutes and neither team was willing to give an inch. The opening five minutes largely belonged to Hingham as they pinned Xaverian deep in their zone and created a couple of quality looks before the breakout could ease the pressure. Six minutes in Hingham would strike first as sophomore Conal Mulkerrin threw a shot on net that produced a juicy rebound that arrived on the stick of senior Nick Foran who was more than obliged to finish: 1-0 Harbormen. Following the opening score, we saw Xaverian start to make a push as they got their transition game on track. It was tough sledding around the net, but they did put a few quality shots on goal. Hingham would ring the post a bit later at the other end but we would go to the room at 1-0 Harbormen.
In the second period, it felt like a carbon copy of the first period as both teams were not willing to give up any ground and both sides had a couple of quality chances. Both teams had power play chances but the opposition packed the middle and blocked nearly every shot. Each squad sold out to sacrifice their bodies on blocks and we would think there will be plenty of ice bags ready post-game for these warriors. We could continue describing the proceedings but the easiest way to boil it down is to say that both Cole Pouliot-Porter and Michael Karo have been very good when called upon in the nets. Onto the third we go with the score 1-0 Hingham.
In the third period, it started with a Hingham power play which allowed them to sustain their momentum. They created a number of quality shots, but all were turned away by Pouliot-Porter. Xaverian struggled to get many looks in Grade A areas as the Harbormen were heavy on pucks and moved it fast, getting it out of the defensive zone with haste. Time was ticking away in the period, and the action was following the same game script as Hingham closed in. But as is the case in any game: all it takes is one look to change the game. It turns out that look would come from the stick of big sophomore Jack Fitzpatrick of Xaverian. He carried it deep into enemy territory with a D shadowing him closely. He was able to get a shot to the front of the net which sat around just long enough for Jesse Peck to bang it home: we were tied at 1 with just over five minutes to go. Once that equalizer was scored, the play was even and the heavy tilt in Hingham’s favor was no longer. Both teams recognized the opportunity in front of them and looked to pot one more to end this thing in regulation but we would need extra time to settle this.
In the extra session, which was played 4×4 per MIAA rules, the ice opened up quite a bit and that meant scoring chances were fast and furious at both ends. After Hingham created some pressure in the attacking zone, Xaverian put a couple of chances on net. Hingham was looking to break out of their zone when it all happened. Junior forward Jackson Morse created a turnover which turned into a 2-on-0 just feet from the crease and the beneficiary was Colvin Callahan who buried it for the OT winner to secure the Holiday Classic trophy.
Three Stars
- F Colvin Callahan, Xaverian
- G Cole Pouliot-Porter, Xaverian
- G Michael Karo, Hingham
Consolation Game: Archbishop Williams vs Braintree
Randolph, MA – In the first period, neither team grabbed the momentum. Instead, they seemed to trade chances for all 17 minutes. There were breakaways, net front scrums, odd-man rushes and shots from Grade A: but none evaded either goalie. We noted how the Archies offense was flowing through junior Finn Kelly, who created a handful of sparkling looks on his own. Braintree worked extremely hard in the first, showing zero fear in taking the puck straight to the net. The early aggression set the table for a tasty second period.
In the second frame, the action picked up in a big way as four goals were scored and the momentum swung firmly in one direction. To start, Braintree relied on their strengths: getting pucks on net and hunting for rebounds to get greasy. It worked well two minutes in when defender Joe Dimartino threw a puck on net that was subsequently banged in by junior Andrew Gaffney: 1-0 Wamps. At the time it looked like Braintree would keep the pressure on but Archies had another plan in mind. Three minutes later they would tie it up just as their power play expired as a nice pass off the wall by junior forward Patrick Hampton found senior Josh Turcotte to knot us up at one. The Bishops untied it just 15 seconds later as a nice 2-on-1 give-and-go play from senior Dylan Picard to senior Sean Murphy gave Archies the 2-1 lead. At this point, the Bishops owned the pace of play and kept the pressure on in the attacking zone for long stretches and would add another score nine minutes later when Kelly walked off the wall and delivered a perfect feed to senior Ben Sylvester: 3-1 Archies. They would head to the room with plenty of confidence, but Braintree was no doubt regrouping and prepared to empty the tank for the third.
In the final stanza, Braintree came out with strength and tenacity but the defensive sticks of the Bishops were tough to traverse. There were multiple looks in front of the crease but AWHS found ways to box out and keep the Wamps away from the scoring areas. As a result, once they gained possession, the Bishops were not willing to give it up and they simply cycled the puck around the attacking zone playing keep away until they had a good look. It turns out they found that look five minutes into the frame when a shot by Kelly pinballed off multiple bodies in front, last touching senior Casey Kelley to make it 4-1. That score would remain for the balance of the period as Archies simply won more pucks and outpossessed Braintree. As the final seconds ticked away, Kelly threw a pass to the net front and Sylvester deposited it to give us our final score: 5-1 Archies.
Three Stars
1. F Finn Kelly, Archbishop Williams
2. F Ben Sylvester, Archbishop Williams
3. F Sean Murphy, Archbishop Williams