Marlboro, MA – MassNZ made the drive out to NESC to check out a primetime matchup between rival Catholic Conference schools. The Eagles of BC High were taking on the Pioneers of St John’s Shrewsbury and the buzz pregame was palpable. The stands were as packed as we’ve ever seen in Rink 1 as the Pioneers student section was loud and clad in all USA gear and the other Pioneers supporters filled most of the far side of the rink. On the opposite end of the near side was the BC High students who brought a strong cheering sections as well. But, before we got inside it took quite a while to find parking since Mass States were taking place at the same time, luckily we found a spot in a prime spot and we were off to the races. The lineups and anthem done, we were ready for playoff hockey.
In the first period, both teams were looking to send long passes up to catch the opposition napping but neither defense would relent. There looked to be some nerves early as both teams were missing on passes leading to icings and both teams were unable to center pucks when they did gain the zone. Plenty of stick battles happened in the neutral zone which did not produce much additional offense. It would take until the 8:41 mark for someone to crack the scoreboard and it would be the Pioneers. In what was a beautiful passing play, sophomore Matt McGinty fed fellow sophomore Nico Santella and waiting in the slot was junior Jaydon Wrzosek who buried a one-timer to make it 1-0 Pioneers. The student section went berserk and the Eagles responded with a strong response shift, generating a number of their best looks of the night. All of them were turned aside by junior Colin McCarthy and we headed to the second with the score 1-0 Pioneers.
In the second period, the pace of play accelerated and both teams were looking to throw scoreboard haymakers. Each team traded chances up and down the sheet but both goaltenders were standing tall. The puck possession was dead even and neither team had the advantage, that is, until the 8th minute. At nearly the exact same time as last period’s goal, the Eagles would tie it. A turnover in the neutral zone was created by senior Nolan O’Sullivan and he had plenty of open ice ahead of him to power his way into the zone and he fired a shot on net that trickled through the pads to make it 1-1. After that goal, BC High put the pressure on and full credit to McCarthy who made two huge saves to keep this game tied – one on the back door and one from behind him with his paddle. At the other end, McGinty rang one off the pipe and the Pioneers would create more sustained pressure after the big saves shifted the momentum. At this point it was anyone’s game: who wants to move on to the Elite 8?
In the third period, it was a back-and-forth affair. Both teams were playing at a high pace and making quick decisions looking for that game winner. Neither team really had an advantage as both teams created quality looks, and both goalies were playing solid. The biggest difference makers on the ice all game were the top line for the Pioneers of McGinty–Wrzosek–Santella who were in lockstep with every pass. BC High’s defense did a great job of blocking shots and protecting the house to keep them at bay. This game would remain deadlocked until the final minutes and a critical change in momentum occurred when BC High was whistled for an infraction with 2:40 remaining. The subsequent power play would be the most important of the evening. The Pioneers called their timeout to strategize and sent their top line out. The Eagles would do a fine job of limiting chances to the outside and letting their goaltender see the shots. The clock continued to tick down with under a minute to go. At this point it looked as though we were headed for overtime…but not so fast. Senior forward Tommy Misilo sliced through the Pioneer defense, but cutting across the blue line was Santella who dropped Miliso to the ice and dislodged the puck. In the resulting rush up ice, it was Santella who took a pass from McGinty and buried it with 42.2 seconds remaining to give his team the 2-1 lead. After that power play goal, the Eagles called a timeout to regroup. The faceoff would be at center ice and the Eagles won it, allowing them to get their goalie out for the extra attacker with 30 seconds to go. BC High was smart to put as many bodies around the net as they could and continued to center pucks as often as they could get through defensive sticks. Ultimately, the clock ran out on the comeback attempt and the Pioneers escaped with the 2-1 victory. They advance on to the Elite 8 to face Catholic Memorial at a date and time TBD.
Three Stars:
- F Nico Santella, St. John’s Shrewsbury
- F Jaydon Wrzosek, St. John’s Shrewsbury
- F Nolan O’Sullivan, BC High