Andover, MA – The #15 Choate Wild Boars headed North for a top-tier matinee at the Andover Academy Big Blue. 2008 Jacob Saldanha started in goal for the Wild Boars. 2006 Edouard Lord got the nod in the Big Blue crease.
The first few shifts saw Choate with some quality chances that Lord stopped with excellent positioning and rebound control. Just a few minutes in, Andover got started as Dartmouth commit Alex Theodore popped home a breakaway chance from Jason Faith and Kieran McIntosh. It was 1-0 Big Blue with 13:59 left in the first period. Theodore struck again on a breakaway with a slick, chip shot finish off the post and into the net to make it 2-0 Andover Academy. Assists went to David O’Neill and Alex Small. Just as the period was winding down, 2009 Jack O’Dell one-timed a pass from Nathan Kreppner home on the rush for the third Andover goal. Tyler Miocevich started the play and picked up the second assist.
The Big Blue and Wild Boars both carried the play for stretches of the second period, but they lacked quality chances. However, the Wild Boars seemed to start to gain some steam. There was a sense that the third period could get interesting.
Andover withstood an early final frame onslaught from Choate as Lord stopped a breakaway, a rebound on that breakaway, and a third terrific Wild Boars chance all in the first shift. 2010 Mikey Dossier finally broke through for Choate on the power play to make it 3-1 with plenty of time left. Choate surged and worked but could not get the second goal. Michael Barrett added the empty-netter for Andover Academy to seal the 4-1 final.
The Big Blue had 11 different players pick up at least a point and flexed their depth and size today. Lord made 43 saves as Choate played hard and put pucks and bodies at the net all three periods.
Three Stars
First: Alex Theodore (Andover)
Second: Edouard Lord (Andover)
Third: Michael Dossier (Choate)
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images