Reading, MA – At MassNZ we saved the best for last, spending the evening at Burbank Arena in Reading as the 7-seed Reading Rockets hosted the 10-seed Marshfield Rams. The theme for both fan sections was America and the rink was littered with red, white and blue. We saw Abe Lincoln, Lady Liberty and multiple flags and signs to boot. We arrived early to find a seat and it’s a good thing we did as the building was 75% full 30 minutes prior to the game and the din was deafening pre-game. When both teams came out for their warmups, it may have broken the sound barrier, both fan sections were extremely loud as was the hometown support on both sides. Reading was flying around pregame and Marshfield was resplendent in their platinum blonde refinery. This game had the best atmosphere of any game we’ve been to this season, and the hockey did not disappoint.
In the first period, both teams were shot out of a cannon and flying around the rink, looking to make plays and get pucks deep. Both teams looked to have had similar game plans: play fast, use your speed on the forecheck and get bodies to the net. A back-and-forth first 15 minutes ensued, but most of the puck possession belonged to Marshfield. They were quick on the forecheck and engaging along the walls to throw pucks in front. Two penalties were assessed to the Rams in the first, but both were killed off. Both teams were playing fast, and both teams had some Grade A looks, but nothing was getting past the goalies. We ended in a 0-0 stalemate after 1.
In the second period, there was more pulse-pounding action as both teams were flying around looking to create scoring chances with their aggressive forecheck. Reading had the upper hand in the early minutes of the period as they created a few turnovers that led to scoring chances, and ultimately, the game’s first goal. Just 2:15 into the frame, senior Craig Wilson took advantage of a loose puck behind the net after the Marshfield goaltender Kevin Murphy quickly played it and looked to dish it to his defenseman. Wilson smartly recognized that Murphy was returning to the crease, threw the puck into his feet, and banked it home for the first score of the game: 1-0 Reading. The home crowd went absolutely bonkers following the goal and the Rockets were firing on all cylinders. As the period wore on, however, Marshfield began to turn the tide. They returned to what worked for them early in the first by taking away space and getting pucks deep into the attacking zone. They created some nice looks in transition as well but Reading netminder Chris Hanifan shut the door. It would take until the 11th minute for another goal to come, this time off the stick of the Rams. The Rockets were whistled for their second infraction of the period and that gave Marshfield the man advantage they needed. Senior Michael Bekerian found senior sniper Cam McGettrick at the top of the faceoff circle and he wired one top shelf through traffic to tie the game up at one. It was the Rams faithful’s turn to go bonkers and for the remainder of the period, they fed off that energy and we ultimately ended the period knotted at 1-1. The third period would decide this game’s outcome.
Or so we thought…in the third period, both teams went for the knockout blow and ultimately traded punches for the full 15 minutes, but neither squad would give in. Both teams had great odd-man looks at the net, but both defenses were tough and kept players away from high-danger scoring areas. There really wasn’t a set territorial advantage on either side, the possession was essentially split in half with both teams hanging on to the puck for extended stretches. The key factor in this period was penalties. The penalty minutes picked up as Reading was called for one penalty and Marshfield was whistled for three. With 2:22 left in the frame, Reading took a timeout as Marshfield would have to kill off 1:31 of 5-on-3, but with strong sticks and good positioning, they were able to do so. The period also ended with a bang as Reading junior forward Nate Mulvey caught a pass at the blue line and looked to have a breakaway but Marshfield senior defender Shane Keeler played the part of Lee Corso and said “Not so fast, my friend” with a terrific backcheck and stick lift to prevent the shot. Onto OT we went.
In 4×4 OT, eight minutes were put on the clock and the ice opened up a bit as both teams were going back and forth creating chances. Both teams maintained good structure and didn’t try to force plays. There were several regroups and possession was nine-tenths of the law: whoever had it had the game on their stick. Both teams created sparkling chances off the rush and in front of the net, but Hanifan and Murphy matched each other save for save. With about 5:30 left to go in the frame, Marshfield called their timeout as the team was coming off a long couple of shifts and needed a breather. They got right back to work and finished the period strong. 1OT would not be enough, better make it 2.
In the 3×3 2OT, the ice opened up even further and interestingly, the play was a bit more measured. Neither team wanted to make that end-to-end rush and get themselves caught up ice if the shot didn’t go in. Both teams did their best to support the puck carrier and create options following zone entry. Both teams had great looks, but again, the goaltenders were both solid. About halfway through the period, it all ended in an instant. Keeler threw a pass from the top of the D zone over to McGettrick cross-ice and he quickly recognized that Tommy Carroll was open, charging with speed towards the attacking blue line and found him with a one-touch pass up ice. Carroll entered the zone and threw the puck upstairs on Hanifan to end the game with 3:51 left on the clock.
Marshfield advances to the Elite 8 to take on surprise winner Arlington Catholic at a to-be-announced date and time at a neutral site to be determined.
Three Stars:
- F Tommy Carroll, Marshfield
- F Cam McGettrick, Marshfield
- G Kevin Murphy, Marshfield