Byfield, MA – Governor’s Academy hosted a 2:00 matinee against the Cushing Academy Penguins. Cushing wanted to improve its seed for the Elite 8 Tournament and Governor’s for the Large School Tournament. It was an excellent contest, and Cushing won 4-3 on a third-period Parker Murch goal. Maksim Corovic got the win in net for the Penguins.
Cushing struck first on a seeing-eye shot from Tommy Bleyl that found the back of the net 7:19 into the frame. Governor’s responded quickly when Spencer Thornborough used his backhand and redirected a Robbie Daley shot home. It was tied at 1-1 with 11:53 left in the first period. One minute and 28 seconds later, Brodie Donovan from Tripp Schuhwerk gave Governor’s the 2-1 lead. That did not last long as Eric Lund dragged and buried a Kristopher Richards rebound into the net to tie the game at 2-2. That is how the first period ended in a fast, physical start.
Both sides played the second period well and evenly, with physicality and some excellent chances. The Penguins broke through on the power play when Alex Gomes tipped a Bleyl shot from the air with 4:48 left in a hard-fought period. Cushing went to the locker room with a one-goal lead.
Just two minutes and 23 seconds into the third period, former Penguin Brodie Donovan sniped a tough angle shot into the top of the net to even things out at 3-3. The game was tight and physical. With 9:54 remaining Murch headed up ice on a 2v1. He dragged the puck across the defender and snapped a low shot into the net on a skilled goal to make it 4-3 Penguins. That was the final in one of the year’s more entertaining NE Prep games. The teams will find out their fate later tonight or tomorrow.
Three Stars
First: Tyler Russo (Pens)
Second: Parker Murch (Pens)
Third: Tommy Bleyl (Pens)