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Wed. 3/2/16 -- Last updated 2:00 pm Friday 3/4. All start times for Saturday are below.

Prep Quarterfinals -- and Weekend Schedule

Results from Wednesday's quarterfinals, and matchups for Saturday's semis. We'll have details on the quarterfinal games on Thursday.


Stuart/Corkery Tournament (AKA Elite 8)
1. Avon 2. KUA 3. Exeter 4. Salisbury 5. Gunnery 6. Milton 7. Loomis 8. Brunswick

@ Avon Old Farms 9, Brunswick 2 -- Brunswick was simply run out of the building early, trailing 4-0 with 8:30 remaining in the first period. Nonetheless, the Bruins made a strong push at the end of the period, giving a faint home to the Brunswick faithful, that feeling that if they could get one or, perhaps more realistically, two goals, things could get interesting. But despite the pressure, they came up empty -- and after one it was 4-0. Avon stretched it to 6-0 in the second before Brunswick's Christian LeSueur was able to get his team on the board with a nice goal late in the period. In the third, the game was essentially over. Avon was able to rest Patrick Harper, who played a couple shifts early.

As for Harper, Brunswick, like many teams, gave him too much time and space in which to work his magic. But it wasn't just the Harper Show. Other lines were strong as well. Matt Barnaby (1g,2a) had a really good game. Along with linemates Matt Allen and Matty Horton, they managed to hem Brunswick in for long stretches.

@ Kimball Union 6, Loomis 4 -- KUA senior center Patrick Shea scored on the game's first shot, which certainly didn't bode well for the visitors. Nonetheless, five minutes later, Loomis came back and tied it at 1-1 on a rebound goal from Connor Leighton. KUA went up on a George Sennott PP goal to give the hosts a 2-1 lead after one. In the second Thomas Samuelsen scored on a tip, then Shea scored his second of the game, from the high slot, to make it 4-1. At that point, it looked like the game could turn into a blowout, but Loomis, to their credit, roared back with a pair, from Justin Grillo and Trent DeNuccio. Suddenly, it's 4-3 and Loomis has some life. But it was a short life: a little over a minute later, KUA uber-D Ben Finkelstein fired home a hard snap shot to make it 5-3 with less than two minutes remaining in the frame. In the third, KUA extended its lead to 6-3 on a Jordan Harris goal, while Joey Cippolone scored a short-handed goal for Loomis to cut it to 6-4, which is where things ended.

Loomis, while decisively outplayed, hung in there througout. Their problem in this game -- if you want to call it that -- can be divined through a quick scan of the two teams' rosters. Loomis is young -- they have 11 sophomores on their roster, and most are playing key minutes. KUA is older. Their big weapons, like Finkelstein, Shea, and Sennott, are seniors. In other words, this could be their year.


Milton 5 @ Exeter 2 -- Milton came out hard and struck with a pair of goals just 11 seconds apart in the first period -- from Tiger Zhang and Spencer Fox (off a great goalmouth pass from Andrew Dumaresque). After that the Mustangs' energy level jumped another notch. They could have had a couple more and salted the game away early. Their puck movement was very good. They were moving their feet. And junior goaltender Ethan Domokos was on his game. 

At the 6:11 mark of the second period, Milton d-man Buddy Mrowka scored to make it 3-0 Milton. It sounded like it was tipped in front, but no matter: Milton was up 3-0 and Exeter was in a bad position. But Milton was also getting called for a rash of penalties -- at least four -- in the period, which gave Exeter a golden chance to get back into the game. Exeter did get one goal, with Bradley Ingersoll scoring on a rebound, but it seemed like it wasn't going to be anywhere near enough. Basically, their puck movement was flat, and they weren't moving their feet. They were getting shots off, but it wasn't a playoff-level PP. There was an opportunity to take advantage of Milton penalty killers who were sucking wind, and being heavily taxed, but Exeter didn't do it. What danger Exeter presented was turned away by Domokos.

Exeter's final power play of the second carried over to the third period, but fizzled. Milton didn't let up. Jack Bliss hit a post. Shortly after, Milton's Mrowka scored his second of the game to put the visitors up 4-1 with 6:43 left. Exeter head coach Dana Barbin pulled goaltender Joey Lazzaro and Exeter capitalized on it, as Ben Solin scored off a rebound with 3:55 left on the clock. With 2:40 left and the Exeter net again empty, Milton senior Spencer Fox scored his second the game to put the game on ice.

Exeter skated four lines in this game, while Milton, with 16 skaters dressed, was playing with three. The Mustangs' scoring is well-distributed: there are kids on every one of those lines who can come up with a key goal. And they compete. Perhaps hopping over the boards so often kept the visitors on their toes. Whatever, they certainly did well in scrums for pucks, and in the faceoff circle. The Mustangs' composure with the puck was also strong. Milton played an excellent team game. The final shots show that Exeter outshot Milton, but it didn't really feel that way. A lot of credit for that goes to Domokos, who played with a ton of poise, and wiped out any shot advantage. 

"The sense of confidence and well-being that we had earlier in the season has been elusive the last couple of weeks," Milton coach Paul Cannata said. "We had to battle through some tough opponents -- hats off to them."

"But we found our game today. I thought we played a good first period -- and coverted on those two opportunities. That gave us a boost. In the second, and the first 40 seconds of the third, we were killing a lot of penalties. We bent a bit, but we didn't break."


Gunnery 3 @ Salisbury 2  -- Gunnery was unintimidated, and highly physical from the get-go, with three solid hits on the first shift. From there, the Highlanders worked hard, putting a body on Salisbury players whenever they came within range of a puck. This was clearly Gunnery's game plan, but a little unexpected and not without risks, particularly on the big sheet at Salisbury. Early on, though, most of the play was in the Salisbury end, as the Knights were forced to defend and chip the puck out. Despite their hard work, Gunnery was unable to generate many scoring chances. Finally, Noah Williams, on a 3-on-3 rush, cut to the middle and fired a quick snapshot 5-hole on Salisbury goaltender Nick Sorgio to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

In the second, Salisbury regained momentum and was able to keep possession in the Gunnery end, which paid off with an Edgar Treijs tally early in the period. Salisbury, though, didn't quite get the lift from the goal they were looking for. It seemed as if Salisbury was trying to make the perfect play -- and bypassing the good play. For example -- and a glaring example at that -- Salisbury made a bad diagonal pass in their end which wound up handing Gunnery an odd-man rush the other direction. And Gunnery capitalized, too, as Evan Johnson roofed one just 4:36 into the period to restore Gunnery's one-goal lead.

A power play goal by Matt Danner, from between the top of the slot and the blue line, gave Gunnery a 3-1 advantage at the 11:12 mark of the second. Shortly after, Gunnery took another penalty, a major, which led to a Salisbury 5x3. The penalty, which lapped over into the third period, was successfully killed off by Gunnery -- a key kill.

After the home team failed to convert on that opportunity, the building seemed dead. The Salisbury faithful were silent. But then Gunnery took an unneccesary penalty on a scrum in front. Salisbury went on the PP. This time, they were moving the puck around -- and firing it. Finally, a Dayne Finnson screened shot from the point found the top corner and, with just over 12 minutes remaining, host Salisbury had closed to within a goal. 

The momentum swung back to Salisbury. Gunnery was hemmed in, but the line of Johnson, Varney, and Haider were able to get it out of the zone and push the Salisbury defense back. Nick Sorgio came up big for Salisbury in the third, keeping his team within range. Meanwhile, Salisbury took a couple of late penalties, giving Gunnery a 5x3 power play with around six minutes left. But there would be no more scoring for either team, and Salisbury's remarkable feat of three consecutive Elite 8 titles has come to an end.

In the end, the story here was the fact that Gunnery, which is going for their first prep title -- after a close call two years ago when they lost to Salisbury in an OT classic at Yale -- came into a hostile environment, kept their feet moving, and showed a desire to play physically, indeed, to play on the edge.

The other major difference was Gunnery senior goaltender Trevin Kozlowski, who kicked out 32 of 34 shots, played big, gave up few rebounds, and came up with outstanding saves when he had to. This is the second straight season the Army recruit has dispatched a powerful team in the quarterfinals. Last year, Kozlowski shut down the Miles Wood-led Nobles team, 6-1.

After the game Gunnery head coach Craig Badger said, "Our guys committed to playing the right way. We knew we did not have the same kind of experience on this big sheet, but our guys played the right way, made smart decisions, and followed the game plan all afternoon." 



Martin/Earl Tournament (Large School)
1. Cushing 2. Westminster 3. Proctor 4. Thayer 5. Tabor 6. Belmont Hill 7. St. Sebastian's 8. Nobles

@ Cushing 9, Nobles 0 -- #1 Cushing got two in the first, one in the second, and then exploded for six in the third to take a 9-0 decision from #8 Nobles. Jacob Kamps (2g,2a), Matt Dillon (1g,2a), Ashton Fry (1g,2a), and Ethan Roswell (3a) led the Penguins' attack. Joey Halstrom picked up a 15-save shutout. Cushing outshot Nobles 46-15. Cushing will host Thayer in the semis at 2:45 pm on Saturday.

@ Westminster 4, St. Sebastian's 2 -- #7-seeded St. Seb's got a PPG from RJ Murphy to take a 1-0 lead after one, but #2 Westy came back hard in the second, with goals by their three top-scoring seniors, Johnny McDermott, JP Schuhlen, and Taggart Corriveau. Nick Sanford kicked out 23 of 25 shots for the win. Westminster will host Belmont Hill in Saturday's semifinal (5:15 pm).

Belmont Hill 5 @ Proctor 2 -- Sam Hesler (2g,1a), Eric Butte (1g,2a), and John Copeland (1g,1a) led #6 Belmont Hill past #3 Proctor. Freshman Connor Hopkins kicked out 24 of 26 to earn the win for Bel Hill. They'll travel to Westminster for a semifinal matchup Saturday at 5:15 pm.

@ Thayer 5, Tabor 3 -- #4 Thayer came back from a 2-1 second period deficit to knock off #5 Tabor and advance to Saturday's semis, in which they will travel to Cushing for a 2:45 pm matchup with the #1 seeded Penguins. PJ Garrett (1g,1a), Casey Carreau (1g,1a), Mike Timperio (2a), Kyle Peterson (2a), and Ty Amonte (2a) led the Tigers' attack. Max Sauve (1g,1a) led the way for the Seawolves.


Piatelli/Simmons Tournament (Small School)
1. Rivers 2. St. Mark's 3. Brooks 4. Dexter 5. Lawrence 6. New Hampton 7. St. George's 8. Canterbury

@ Rivers 4, Canterbury 2 -- Top-seeded Rivers, on goals by Teddy Wooding, Tony Andreozzi, and Tyler Capello,  broke out to a 3-0 lead by the midpoint of the first period -- and never trailed. Rivers will host Dexter in a Saturday semifinal matchup (2:00 pm).

@ St. Mark's 3, St. George's 0 -- Ethan Kimball, Owen Allen, and Peter Housakos scored for #2 St. Mark's and Ryan Ferland kicked out all 25 shots he faced to pick up the shutout. St. Mark's will host New Hampton in a semifinal matchup Saturday (4:00 pm) 

New Hampton 1 @ Brooks 0 -- A Chris Lemay second period goal lifted #6 New Hampton to a 1-0 road win over #3 Brooks. Jacob Burhans (28/28) earned the shutout for New Hampton. Johnny Trotto (22/23) took a tough loss for Brooks.

@ Dexter 1, Lawrence 0 -- A Patrick Daly goal 2:31 into the game was all #4-seeded Dexter needed. Aidan Murphy, with 20 saves, earned the shutout for Dexter. Owen Zdunski (25/26) was the hard-luck loser for Lawrence. Dexter takes the big road trip to Rivers for a semifinal matchup on Saturday (2:00 pm).


***
Semifinals -- Sat. March 5
At campus sites

Stuart/Corkery Tournament (AKA Elite 8)
#5 Gunnery @ #1 Avon Old Farms, 2:30 pm
#6 Milton @ #2 Kimball Union, 3:00 pm

Martin/Earl Tournament (Large School)
#4 Thayer @ #1 Cushing, 2:45 pm
#6 Belmont Hill @ #2 Westminster, 5:15 pm new start time is 2:30 pm

Piatelli/Simmons Tournament (Small School)
#4 Dexter @ #1 Rivers, 2:00 pm
#6 New Hampton @ #2 St. Mark's, 4:00 pm

Championship Games -- Sun. March 6
at St. Anselm College; Manchester, NH

Piatelli/Simmons Tournament (Small School), 12:00 pm
Martin/Earl Tournament (Large School), 2:30 pm
Stuart/Corkery Tournament (AKA Elite 8), 5:00 pm

 Sun. 3/6/16
Championship Sunday & Prep All-Star Teams

Sunday, March 6, 2016 -- Championship Games
At the Noble & Greenough School; Dedham, Mass.

Div. I Championship Game:
Nobles 4, Loomis 0

Period 1
Nobles -- Charlotte Brown (Becca Gilmore, Casey O’Brien) 3:51
Nobles -- Gilmore (Caitrin Longeran, Katie Tresca) 13:44

Period 2
No scoring

Period 3
Nobles -- O’Brien (Lily Farden, Gilmore) 6:44
Nobles -- Bridget McCarthy (Longeran, Steph Nomicos) 13:00

Tournament MVP:
Becca Gilmour, Nobles

***

Div. II Championship Game:
St. George's 3, Brooks 2

Period 1
St. George's -- Erika Martin (Madi Aumann, Victoria O’Heir) 4:34
St. George's -- Alyse Borelli (Hannah Dreschsel, O’Heir) 14:07

Period 2
St. George’s -- Hayley Doneghey (Madi Aumann, Madison Tregenza) 3:21
Brooks -- Julia Nearis (Caroline O’Keefe) 8:22
Brooks -- Caroline Cutter (Tess Martin, Emma English) 12:31

Period 3
No scoring

Tournament MVP:
Beth Larcom, St. George’s


***

2015-16 New England Prep Girls All-Star Teams
D-I Player of the Year:
Caitrin Lonergan, Sr. F, Noble & Greenough

D-I First Team:
Forwards: Becca Gilmore '17 (Noble & Greenough), Caitrin Lonergan '16 (Noble & Greenough), Delaney Belinskas '16 (Williston)
Defense: Cayla Barnes '17 (New Hampton), Rachel Rockwell '16 (Williston)
Goalie: Morgan Fisher '16 (Williston)

D-I Second Team:
Forwards: Charlotte Welch '18 (Andover), Meaghan Rickard '16 (Williston), Kelly Browne '18 (Tabor)
Defense: Taylor Matherson '17 (Tabor), Paige Capistran '16 (Loomis)
Goalie: Lindsay Reed '18 (Hotchkiss)

D-II Player of the Year:
Beth Larcom, Sr. G, St. George's

D-II First Team:
Forward: Julia Nearis '18 (Brooks), Maddi Blauth '16 (Canterbury), Olivia Soares '16 (St. George's)
Defense: Alice Pingeon '16 (Rivers), Taylor Methven '16 (Proctor)
Goalie: Beth Larcom '16 (St. George's)

D-II Second Team:
Forward: Samantha Estes '16 (Rivers), Alexis Fagan '17 (Proctor), Jen Manning '16 (Worcester)
Defense: Maura White '16 (Canterbury), Kiana Melvin '16 (Hebron)
Goalie: Clara Pingeon '16 (Rivers)

Sat. 3/5/16

 
Girls Prep Semifinals

Here are the semifinal results from Saturday, March 5th, and the schedule for Sunday's championship games.

Saturday, March 5, 2016 -- Semifinals

Div. I
1. Nobles 2. Williston 3. Loomis 4. Kent 5. Andover 6. New Hampton 7. Milton 8. St. Paul's.

@ Nobles 2, Kent 1  
Loomis 5 @ Williston 2 

Div. II
1. Brooks 2. St. George's 3. Worcester 4. Rivers 5. Proctor 6. Canterbury 7. Gunnery 8. Southfield.

@ Brooks 3, Proctor 2
@ St. George's 2, Worcester 1 (OT)

Sunday, March 6, 2016 -- Championship Games
At the Noble & Greenough School; Dedham, Mass.

Div. II Championship Game:
Brooks vs. St. George's, 12:30 pm

Div. I Championship Game:
Nobles vs. Loomis, 3:00 pm

Wed. 3/2/16- Updated Thurs. 3/3 at 8:45 pm.

2016 Girls Prep Quarterfinals -- and Weekend Schedule

Here are the quarterfinal results from Wednesday March 2nd -- and the weekend schedule. We'll be filling in the game times as they become available.

Wednesday, March 2, 2016 -- Quarterfinals -- at Campus Sites

Div. I
1. Nobles 2. Williston 3. Loomis 4. Kent 5. Andover 6. New Hampton 7. Milton 8. St. Paul's.

@ Nobles 6, St. Paul's 0  
@ Williston 3, Milton 1  
@ Loomis 1, New Hampton 0
@ Kent 3, Andover 1

Div. II
1. Brooks 2. St. George's 3. Worcester 4. Rivers 5. Proctor 6. Canterbury 7. Gunnery 8. Southfield.
 
@ Brooks 2, Southfield 1 (OT)   
@ St. George's 2, Gunnery 1 (3-OT) 
@ Worcester 4, Canterbury 3 (2-OT)   
Proctor 2 @ Rivers 1    

Saturday, March 5, 2016 -- Semifinals

Div. I
#4 Kent @ #1 Nobles, 2:00 pm 
#3 Loomis @ #2 Williston, 2:45 pm

Div. II
#5 Proctor @ #1 Brooks, 3:00 pm
#3 Worcester @ #2 St. George's, 4:00 pm

Sunday, March 6, 2016 -- Championship Games -- at Noble & Greenough School
Div. II -- 12:30 pm
Div. I -- 3:00 pm