Groton, MA – Wednesday brought us a matchup of two teams hovering around .500, looking to gather a win. #1 Aiden Emerick gets the goal for Lawrence Academy, and #1 Eli Zucker for Milton Academy.
The first period was relatively uneventful. Both teams struggled to sustain solid offensive zone time, but this gave us good up-and-down hockey for the first eighteen minutes. #9 Cooper Hosmer for Milton had a good first period, adding pace to the game and winning nearly every race for the puck.
Fifteen seconds into the second period, LA gains the offensive zone off the draw. Loose puck out front catches the Milton goalie by surprise, and Luke Allen is there to slap it home for the game’s first goal. Milton had a strong push and carried the majority of the play. With under 5 minutes left, they took a penalty and were forced to go on the kill. A quick one-timer point shot by #4 Matas Janulis pops out a rebound to Allen, and again he buries to make it 2-0 LA. Shortly after, Milton finally gets on the board, coming off of #4 Blake Wilichoski’s stick, putting Milton back within 1 after 2 periods.
Into the third, these teams seemed to have gotten comfortable, and both were establishing strong offensive pushes. More extended possessions and solid goaltending from both sides. Gavin Holland for Lawrence Academy had his best period in the third, helping break pucks out with his legs and being more physical. Milton pulls the goalie with 2 minutes to go, and with the net being empty, LA capitalizes from center ice to put the final score at 3-1 in favor of Lawrence Academy.
Three Stars
First: Luke Allen (Lawrence Academy)
Second: Aiden Emerick (Lawrence Academy)
Third: Matas Janulis (Lawrence Academy)
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images