Canton, MA – Neutral Zone was in attendance at the Canton Ice House to watch a Sweet 16 Massachusetts Division 2 matchup between the host Canton Bulldogs (#1 seed) and
the Hopkinton Hillers (#16 seed). The game was well attended and the pace of play was
fast. Senior Matt Wright was in net for the Bulldogs and junior Colton Spavento manned the crease for the Hillers.
The first period started with each team trying to feel each other out. Canton controlled
play and had long stretches in the offensive zone. Spavento was strong and made
several point-blank saves. The first period ended in a deadlock at zero.
Canton started quickly in the second period and scored less than 30 seconds into the frame. Sophomore defender Kellen Labanara jumped on a loose puck and cut quickly across the slot on his backhand before placing a shot into the net. Canton would try to add to this lead but the Hillers held tight. The game would head to the third period with the home team up 1-0.
The third period was all Bulldogs. With just under 12 minutes remaining in the game, junior defender Will Young threw a shot on net from the point. The puck seemed to drop on the way in and confused the Hillers netminder. Canton would take a 3-0 lead about two minutes later when sophomore forward Gavin O’Toole stole a puck in the slot, and quickly slid it along the ice beating the goalie. Before the end of the night, Canton would add two more goals, both from junior forward Ryan Elrick. He took a slick backdoor pass from senior captain Teddy Shuman, outwaited the goalie and roofed the puck near-side. A few minutes later he took a rebound and quickly chipped it up over the goalie and under the bar.
The Hillers season ends at 12-8-1. Canton moves on to the Elite 8 and will travel to Loring Arena in Framingham to play 9-seed Walpole on Thursday night.
Three Stars:
1) F Ryan Elrick, Canton
2) F Gavin O’Toole, Canton
3) G Matt Wright, Canton