No. 1 St. John’s Prep snaps into form, races past CM
CANTON — Slow to get off the bus, the topranked St. John’s Prep boys’ hockey team quickly found its skating legs after a rough start.
Trailing 31 seconds into a showdown with fourth-ranked Catholic Memorial, Mason Luciano responded with an equalizer 3:45 in, followed 30 seconds later by Christian Rosa in a sequence that flipped the script and paved the way for the Eagles’ 4-1 victory at the Canton Ice House in the Catholic Conference Showcase.
“I was talking to my teammates on the bench, saying we’ve got to change the direction of this game,” Luciano said. “We just used our speed and took over.”
Johnny Tighe and Caleb White also scored before the first period was out for St. John’s Prep (8-1, 4-0), which held serve the rest of the way on the strength of 22 saves by AJ Farese.
Still, based on his team’s standard of excellence over the last several seasons, SJP coach Kristian Hanson wasn’t completely thrilled with his team’s showing against the Knights (5-4-2, 1-3).
“We weren’t ready to play today, we weren’t ready when the puck dropped,” Hanson said. “That’s on coaches, that’s on captains, we’ve got to be ready.
“You’re on the road, it’s a huge Catholic Conference game. If you’re not ready to go, there’s a problem.”
Galvanized by Luciano and Vana’s lightningquick strikes, the Eagles forced the Knights into a series of defensive-zone miscues and grabbed control of the attacking zone as the opening frame went on.
Tighe put back a Mason Lomasney offering from the point at 12:50 before Luciano played facilitator, setting up White to complete the scoring at 15:34.
Nick D’Olympio had the goal for CM.
“After they scored, we started to put together some shifts, changed some momentum and some pucks found the back of the net,” Hanson said. “But overall, I’m not thrilled with our performance today.” In the first game of the day, No. 11 BC High toppled Malden Catholic, 4-2. The Eagles (4-5-0) soared to their fourth win in five games behind four goal scorers.
“We’re better today than we were last week,” said BC High coach John Flaherty. “Collectively, we’re moving the puck better. There’s confidence in some of the guys now, some of the younger guys are more comfortable. Some of the older guys, who really didn’t have much of a role last year, are growing into their role.”
Max Ryan, Tommy Halloran, David Williams, and Owen Welch tallied in a balanced effort that saw the Eagles take advantage of their team speed.
With many scouts on hand, the Eagles put forward one of their more complete performances.
“It’s just an added way to showcase our league and our players,” said Flaherty. “Truthfully, without the Super 8, the MIAA took away a lot of opportunities for guys to be seen by colleges and junior teams. For us as a league, to be able to put this on and showcase our guys, I think it’s a win-win for everybody. It’s good hockey, the games are always good, and the kids on the ice are good.” In the final game of the afternoon, thirdranked Xaverian trounced No. 2 St. John’s (Shrewsbury), 7-4. The Hawks (7-2-0) raced out to a 4-1 advantage after the first frame, striking four times in the first 10 minutes.
“We tried just to get back to basics at practice,” said Xaverian coach Dave Spinale. “I felt like we were getting away from what we were doing well, which is playing fast, getting pucks to the net, getting more shots.”
Devin Gosiak tallied twice, and Colvin Callahan and Jack O’Neil each contributed a goal and an assist. After consecutive losses, the Hawks switched their lines and the results were immediately fruitful.
“Guys were excited to play with new guys, they were having a little more fun, and getting pucks to the net,” said Spinale. “It helps mentally when you have to think more and change things up — it’s not the same old, same old. I think that freshened it up a little.”