Pasquale, Central slam door on SJP

MIDDLETON — In a tournament inspired by the spirit of good competition, two of the state’s top boys hockey teams faced off for an early-season tester.

Central Catholic set the tone with an early goal and maintained control throughout a 5-1 victory over St. John’s Prep last night in the fourth Pete Frates Winter Classic at Essex Sports Center.

“It’s a great tournament, because these four teams are probably four out of the top six teams in the state,” said Central Catholic coach Kim Brandvold. “So you know you’re getting two good games in this tournament and we were finally able to win a game.”

The Raiders (5-0-0) scored 1:10 after the puck dropped with a 2-on-1 rush with Sean Brown (two assists) feeding the puck across the slot for the finish by Eric Lester (goal, assist) on the first shot of the game.

Central goalie Matt Pasquale (26 saves) did the rest in the first as the Eagles (4-1-0) pushed back.

The Raiders expanded their lead in the second with goals by Owen Fowler and Ryan Galasso.

SJP got on the board with a spectacular individual effort by Brian Carrabes, who snapped a shot past Pasquale while on a loneman rush with 2:27 left in the second.

Central added an insurance goal by Cam Stanisewski and William Winship finished the scoring with empty-netter for the Raiders.