Wed. 3/4/15
Top Seeds Flame Out at 2015 Prep Quarterfinals
#8 KUA, #7 Dexter, #6 Gunnery, and #5 Salisbury All Advance
ELITE 8:
Gunnery 6 @ Nobles 1
Early on, this looked like it could have been a blowout -- the other way. Nobles, playing at home in front of a loud, enthusiastic student section, came out attacking. Every time the puck was brought into the Gunnery end by the Miles Wood-Cody Todesco-Mike Fahie line -- and with guys like Billy Sweezey teeing it up at the point -- the imbalance in firepower and size made it terrifying to watch, certainly for the Gunnery faithful. Gunnery didn't panic, however. 6'4" junior goaltender Trevin Kozlowski stood tall, and his teammates, once they initial onslaught ended, hung with Nobles. The play was fairly back-and-forth, though it didn't always feel that way.
The first period ended 0-0, but for the first half of the second, it still felt like Nobles' game, that at some point they were going to kick the barn door down. The Nobles pressure -- primarily with that first line -- was that strong. At times it seemed like Gunnery was playing rope-a-dope, letting Nobles fire away while doing their best to keep them on the perimeter, not allowing them to set up as much as they would have liked, and trusting in their goalie, who was outstanding.
Still, in the middle of the second period, though, Miles Wood broke down the right side and fired a hard, short-side shot to beat Kozlowski cleanly. Nobles had a 1-0 lead.
Less than four minutes later, disaster struck Nobles when, on the powerplay, and with a chance to make it 2-0, they gave up a shorty when Nobles junior goaltender Brendan Cytulik mishandled the puck with no one near him. The puck just popped over his right pad. Gunnery center Noah Bauld, charging hard, nudged it over the goal line to tie it at 1-1. The game changed there.
It would change again in the crucial final two minutes of the period, when Gunnery scored twice.
The first was on the power play. Shawn Knowlton got the puck to Nick Quillan at the left point. Quillan fired a dead-on shot under the crossbar to give Gunnery the lead they would not reliquish.
The second goal -- a back-breaker -- came with just six seconds left. With the faceoff in the Nobles end, Noah Bauld cleanly won the draw back to Alex Hopkins, whose wrister from the point didn't have much on it, but found the back of the net. Just like that, Nobles was down 3-1, and skated off the ice stunned.
Still, entering the third period, the game felt far from over. Over the course of the season, Nobles has scored two or more goals in the third period numerous times. Plus, they were desparate. Their season was on the line.
And they did pour it on. But Gunnery stood tall. They worked hard and played as a team. They sacrificed their bodies and blocked a batch of shots. And when they got the puck out of their zone, they worked it deep into the Nobles end and made Nobles carry it back up ice again and again, with nothing to show for it. As time went on, the Nobles forwards increasingly tried to do too much on their own. It appeared as if, perhaps subconsciously, the squad was waiting for Miles Wood to engineer a miracle. It never came. Time kept ticking away, and, with a little over two minutes left, Cytulik was pulled for the extra attacker. There was no luck there; with about 30 seconds Gunnery notched a pair of empty-netters. With 48 seconds left and Cytulik back in net, Quillan notched his second to make it a 6-1 final.
"Kozlowski was great," Gunnery head coach Chris Baudo said afterwards. "Just very focused. He made some exceptional saves, particulary on some of those back-door shots. He's been great all year."
"I also thought our D did a very good job moving the puck north all day," he added. And as for the blocked shots in the third period, Baudo said, "That takes a lot of courage."
***
KUA 2 @ Exeter 1
#8 Kimball Union won this one, a quick-paced, hard-nosed game with just two penalties, on the strength of a well-executed game plan in which the Wildcats clamped down hard in all three zones, limited shots against and, by so doing, shut down #1-seed Exeter's offense and earned themselves a slot in Saturday's semifinal against defending prep champs Salisbury.
Senior forward Jack McCarthy established KUA's tone early in the first period, throwing his body around and inspiring his teammates with his gritty play. The first period passed quickly, a fairly even game with no penalties and no scoring.
The second period was pretty even too. Exeter went on the powerplay after KUA's Connor Jean was called for hooking at the 1:38 mark, but was unable to set anything up as KUA pressured and prevented Exeter's power play from finding its customary rhythm. After killing the penalty, Exeter and KUA dug in and battled hard for the next five minutes, with few whistles. With just over ten minutes left in the period, big Dominic Franco, who was impressive all night, entered the Exeter zone quickly, only to be stifled by Exeter D Jordan Haney, which led to a rush the other way and was capped off with a Teddy Hart goal off a deflection of a Devin Moore shot to put Exeter up 1-0 at 8:19.
KUA responded well, going on the attack. Finally, with 2:31 remaining in the period, a deflected shot sailed over Exeter's net, deflected off the glass and bounced back, over the net, to an opportunistic Nic Hamre, who deftly batted the puck past Exeter PG goalie -- and recent Babson recruit -- Bryan Botcher to make it a 1-1 game, which is where things stayed for the rest of the period.
The third period belonged to KUA. Early in the period, Exeter committed a couple of turnovers, one in their end and one in the neutral zone. The net result was the puck winding up on the stick of senior Brendan Riley who scored what would turn out to be the game-winner, stuffing the puck past Botcher at the 3:53 mark. From that point on, other than the occasional Teddy Hart rush, Exeter was unable to sustain any offense. KUA's persistent forecheck, led by Franco, McCarthy, and Patrick Shea, kept the play pinned in the Exeter net for the majority of the period. With 3:37 left in the game, Exeter's Jacob Dupont was called for tripping. While Exeter was able to kill the penalty and pull their goalie, KUA's depth on defense and overall aggressiveness prevented Exeter from getting any quality scoring chances and, in the end, put a finish to Exeter's season. It was only their fourth loss in 30 games.
***
Dexter 1 @ Cushing 0
A first period goal by Bryan Green and a shutout from mid-season replacement goaltender Nick Lanni was all #7 Dexter needed to blank #2 Cushing and move on to a semifinal matchup at Gunnery on Saturday.
The final shots on goal show Cushing outshooting Dexter 39-20, but it was actually wasn't quite that lopsided, perhaps more like 32-20. Both goalies, Lanni and Cushing senior Joey Daccord (19/20) came up with some really nice saves. Dexter did a good job limiting Cushing scoring opportunities off the rush by forcing numerous dump ins.
Cushing controlled the play early, but Dexter's neutral zone play was strong and kept Cushing to the perimeter. Dexter got on the board when Bryan Green flicked a perfect low-angle shot over Daccord's shoulder and into the net at the seven-minute mark of the first period. It was the game's only goal.
The key to the low scoring affair was each team's ability to bottle up their opponent's top lines, with Dexter keeping the Bailey Conger-David Cotton-Jake Simons line off the board, while Cushing shut down the Pat Daly-Ryan Donato-Kevin Hock line. Cushing, however, hit a few posts and the game was always a hair away from getting tied up. It never happened, though, and Dexter moves on to their first-ever appearance in the Elite 8.
Afterward, Dexter coach Dan Donato said there were two keys to the game. "We knew that in their transition game the D gets involved and they look for opportunities on the third and fourth waves. We limited those opportunities. And we also know Daccord to be a very good goalie, and that we'd have to work to get anything past him."
"I think now people are starting to understand that Nick (Lanni) is a pretty good goalie," Donato added. "He's a leader in the room, and he's a very good athlete. He's the captain of the football team, and will probably be the captain of the baseball team as well."
"His style isn't the prettiest, but he stops everything. So even if he gets out of position he's athletic enough to get back and make that ten-bell save. He made five or so saves today that were really great. Pure game changers.
"Overall, I thought it was a great road game."
***
Salisbury 3 @ Loomis 1
This was a defensive, grinding, physical affair between two teams that don't carry a lot of love in their hearts for each other. No doubt much of this animosity is a carryover from two weeks ago, when Loomis traveled to Salisbury and beat the Knights, 2-1, in a highly-physical Valentine's Day matchup.
If you like tough, defensive, locked-up, grinding-in-the-corners games, this was for you. Neither team could get to the net, odd-man rushes were non-existent, and, in total, there couldn't have been more than five good scoring opportunities in the entire game.
Each team gave up a weak goal early in the first. Salisbury's Cole Poliziani, on a 10-foot wrist shot from the slot, beat Loomis junior goaltender Tim Birarelli five-hole at the 2:55 mark and then, exactly ten seconds later, Loomis tied it up at 1-1 when defenseman Zach Guittari threw a weak wrister on the Salisbury net, somewhat of a dump-in that bounced off Bailey MacBurnie's pad and popped out to the left faceoff dot, right onto the stick Eric Esposito. The sophomore quickly fired it into the open net. Both teams seemed to be fighting nerves, and it carried over to the rest of the period, which was a bit sloppy and tentative.
Ten seconds into the second period, Salisbury took the lead -- it would stand up as the game-winner -- when senior Vimal Sukumaran carried the puck along the left boards to the goal line before cutting to the net and stuffing the puck under Birarelli's pad. Salisbury grabbed the momentum and controlled play for the next seven-plus minutes. At the 7:40 mark, with Eric Esposito about to take off on a clean breakaway, Salisbury junior d-man Dayne Finnson stretched himself out, diving to break up the play just as Esposito reached the blue line. A great individual effort, it stood up as one of the key plays of the game.
With 5:13 left in the second Salisbury junior forward Mike O'Leary took a tripping penalty, giving Loomis its first powerplay of the game. Salisbury shined here, imposing their will, giving Loomis very little zone time, and keeping their hosts from sustaining pressure and getting quality shots. Salisbury junior forward Anthony Vincent played a key role, clearing pucks out of the zone, blocking shots, and picking off passes as Loomis attempted to break it out.
In the third period, Salisbury again struck early, as Sukumaran made a cross-crease pass on a two-on-one to Jordan Kaplan who buried a one-timer at the 21 second mark.
The game opened up a bit more after that as Loomis tried to stretch the ice and pressure the Salisbury defense. Despite some stretches in Salisbury's end, they were unable to penetrate the scoring areas, and were kept to the perimeter. Five minutes in, Salisbury's Brett Stirling took a retaliatory hitting after the whistle penalty. Again, Loomis failed to generate chances on the ensuing powerplay. Over the final ten minutes, the game became more increasingly back-and-forth, faster, and physical. However, neither side was able to generate much zone time. The game ended with some late hits by both teams, words exchanged by coaches, and a large Loomis student section left silent.
"The true difference in the game was opportune goal scoring," said Salisbury coach Andrew Will. "We were able to capitalize on the few chances we got."
For the game, Salisbury had a 25-20 shot advantage.
Salisbury returns to the semifinals for the third consecutive year. They will host Kimball Union at 3:30 on Saturday -- and the game will be played at Loomis.
Sat. March 7 Elite 8 Semifinal Schedule:
KUA vs. Salisbury, 3:30 pm (at Loomis)
Dexter @ Gunnery, 2:00 pm
***
LARGE SCHOOLS:
Three of the four top seeds -- #2 Choate, #3 Brooks, and #4 Belmont Hill -- emerged as winners. #8 Thayer was the only low seed to advance.
Thayer 5, Brunswick 4 (OT) -- Sophomore Mike Seoane, with an assist from freshman Tristan Amonte, scored at 13:24 of overtime to lift #8 Thayer past #1 Brunswick. Ty Amonte (1g,2a) and Lincoln Griffin (1g,1a) also had multiple points for Thayer. Colin Slyne (1g,2a) and Christian LeSueur (1g,1a) led the Brunswick attack. Thayer advances to Saturday's semifinal (@ Belmont Hill, 1:00 pm).
@ Belmont Hill 4, Berkshire 2 -- Senior Charlie McConnell, with a hat trick and an assist, figured in all four of Belmont Hill's goals today. Sophomore Matt Koopman scored both of Berkshire's goals. #4 Belmont Hill will host #8 Thayer in Saturday's semifinal.
@ Brooks 2, St. Sebastian's 1 -- An unassisted goal from junior Paul Capozzi at 14:11 of OT and a 38-save effort from senior Max Prawdzik lifted #3 Brooks into Saturday's semifinal (@ Choate, 3:30 pm). St. Seb's senior goaltender Danny Higgins was the hard-luck loser, kicking out 41 of 43 shots.
@ Choate 4, St. Paul's 2 -- #2 Choate, on the strength of first period goals from Jack Hoey and Henry Marshall and a second period goal from Alex Kolowrat, took a 3-0 lead and never looked back. Senior Sam Tucker (26/28) earned the win. The Wild Boars will host Brooks in Saturday's semifinal.
Sat. March 7 Large Schools Semifinal Schedule:
Thayer @ Belmont Hill, 1:00 pm
Brooks @ Choate, 3:30 pm
***
SMALL SCHOOLS:
All four high seeds -- #1 St. Mark's, #2 Westminster, #3 Rivers, and #4 Proctor -- advance.
@ St. Mark's 3, New Hampton 2 -- Junior Zach Tsekos scored the game-winner -- his second goal of the game -- at 6:17 of the third period. Junior Ryan Ferland kicked out 27 of 29 for the win. #1 St. Mark's moves on to host Proctor in Saturday's semifinal (3:00 pm).
@ Proctor 6, Winchendon 5 -- Juniors Jake Pappalardo (2g,2a) and Jack Hall (1g,2a), and sophomore defenseman Reilly Walsh (1g,2a) led the Hornets' attack. Winchendon sophomore D Jack Moran scored two goals. #4 Pomfret will travel to St. Mark's for a semifinal matchup Saturday.
@ Rivers 3, Tilton 2 -- Senior Joe Sacco's goal at 6:06 of the third lifted #3 Rivers to the win. They will travel to Westminster for a semifinal on Saturday (2:00 pm).
@ Westminster 8, Vermont 0 -- Eight different Westminster players had multiple point games. Sophomore Nick Sanford posted a 20-save shutout. #2 Westminster will host Rivers on Saturday afternoon.
Sat. March 7 Small Schools Semifinal Schedule:
Proctor @ St. Mark's, 3:00 pm
Rivers @ Westminster, 2:00 pm
Sun. 3/8/15
St. Paul's, Rivers are the 2015 Champs
Sunday March 8, 2015
At the Berkshire School; Sheffield, Mass.
Div. I
St. Paul's 6, Pomfret 2
Div. I Tournament MVP:
St. Paul's senior F Bridget Carey
***
Div. II
Rivers 5, Southfield 1
Div. II Tournament MVP:
Rivers senior F Jordan Cross
Sat. 3/7/15
2015 Girls Prep Semifinals
Saturday March 7, 2015
at Campus Sites
DI
Pomfret 2 @ Kent 1 (2-OT)
St. Paul's 1 @ Williston 0
DII
@ Rivers 3, Berwick 2
Southfield 6 @ Worcester 2 (Game was played at St. Mark's)
Wed. 3/4/15
2015 Girls Prep Quarterfinals
Wed. March 4, 2015
DI
@ Kent 3, Loomis 1 (empty net goal)
@ Williston 3, Choate 1
St. Paul's 2 @ Nobles 0 (empty net goal)
Pomfret 3 @ Tabor 2 (2OT)
DII
@ Rivers 2, Gunnery 1
@ Berwick 3, Proctor 1
@ Worcester 3, St. George's 2 (OT)
@ Southfield 6, Canterbury 2
Sat. March 7, 2015 Semifinal Schedule
DI
Pomfret @ Kent, 3:00 pm
St. Paul's @ Williston, 3:00 pm
DII
Berwick @ Rivers, 2:00 pm
Southfield vs. Worcester, 11:30 am (at St. Mark's)
Tues. 3/3/15
2015 Girls Prep Playoff Schedule
Wednesday, March 4 -- Quarterfinals -- at Campus Sites
Div. I
#1 Kent vs. #8 Loomis, 5:00 pm -- @ Kent
#2 Williston vs. #7 Choate, 4:15 pm -- @ Williston
#3 Nobles vs. #6 St. Paul's, 3:00 pm -- @ Nobles
#4 Tabor vs. #5 Pomfret, 4:15 pm -- @ Tabor
Div. II
#1 Rivers vs. #8 Gunnery, 5:15 pm -- @ Rivers
#2 Worcester vs. #7 St. George's, 2:30 pm -- @ NESC, Marlborough, Mass.
#3 Southfield vs. #6 Canterbury, 3:00 pm -- @ Southfield
#4 Berwick vs. #5 Proctor, 4:00 pm -- @ Berwick
Saturday, March 7, 2015 -- Semifinals -- at Higher Seeds
Div. I
#1-8 winner vs. #4-5 winner
#2-7 winner vs. #3-6 winner
Div. II
#1-8 winner vs. #4-5 winner
#2-7 winner vs. #3-6 winner
Sunday, March 8, 2015 -- Championship Games -- at the Berkshire School
Div. II -- 12:30 pm
Div. I -- 3:00 pm
Sun. 3/1/15
2015 Girls Prep Tournament Seeding
Here is the seeding for the 2015 girls tournament:
D-I
1. Kent (Kent and Williston tied for first, Kent wins tiebreaker)
2. Williston
3. Nobles
4. Tabor
5. Pomfret
6. St. Paul's
7. Choate
8. Loomis
D-II
1. Rivers
2. Worcester
3. Southfield
4. Berwick
5. Proctor
6. Canterbury
7. St. George's
8. Gunnery
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