Catholic Conference gives its all
A year after the Catholic Conference became the first league to send four teams to the Super 8, all five squads in the league were named to this year's tournament when the MIAA committee announced the pairings yesterday.
There was no surprise or drama when Catholic Memorial, the consensus No. 1 team in the state, earned the top seed.
There was, however, a spirited debate to decide the final berth. After much discussion and analyzing though, Westford Academy edged out St. Bernard's for the final spot, making it the first time in the tournament's 18-year history that the Catholic Central Large will not have a Super 8 representative.
The Fitchburg school did everything it could -- including winning its last eight games and the CCL title - which had meant guaranteed admission in years past - but it wasn't enough. The phrase "splitting hairs" was widely used, but Westford's stronger non-league schedule secured its bid.
"We thought we had the criteria," said St. Bernard's coach Kevin Lizotte. "Sometimes I don't think we get respect that Central Mass. hockey deserves. Hopefully that will change."
Westford coach Bob Carpenter breathed a huge sigh of relief after the decision.
"I was very, very nervous," he said. "St. Bernard's is a good team, and we were lucky to get in. It was so nerve-wracking. I haven't been that nervous in my career."
Catholic Memorial, a team with seemingly little reason to be nervous, heads the field. Hingham (17-3-2) grabbed the second seed thanks to its tough schedule and 10-1-1 finish. St. John's Prep, bolstered by Catholic Conference leading scorer Christian Cowles, was seeded third. Defending Super 8 champ BC High, tough up and down the roster, took the fourth spot. And No. 5 Reading's 20-1 mark and offensive firepower was not ignored by the committee. Malden Catholic was the last team selected for a first-round bye.
That sets up two play-in games for tomorrow evening at the Chelmsford Forum. Needham will face Xaverian at 6:10 p.m., and Waltham plays Westford Academy at 8:10. The losers of the two games will drop into their respective Division 1 brackets.
Prediction: Since BC High is the current titleholder -- and ended the run of top-ranked CM last season in the crossover round -- picking the Eagles can't be considered insane. However, the Knights are just too good this year. They have two of the state's top threats, Mike Collins and Derek Colucci, leading a deep, tournament-proven core of forwards. Their defense, anchored by Peter Starrett and Garrett Noonan, is rock-steady and contributes offensively. Goalie Tom Conlin doesn't get the ink of fellow Catholic Conference stalwarts Sam Marotta and Kyle Pettoruto, but he's reliable as they come. The Knights will dance with the Super 8 trophy on March 16.
Respect must be given to the losers of the play-in games, who drop in as the top seeds in the bracket. In the North, either Waltham or Westford has a fine chance to win it all. Winchester was given heavy consideration for the Super 8 because of its 14-2-4 mark. Andover, in its first year in Division 1, was also in the running, and should be formidable. St. Bernard's has something to prove after being denied a Super 8 bid. Watch out for Woburn, Austin Prep, and St. Mary's, which boasts a win over Malden Catholic.
The South section favorite should be either Needham or Xaverian. The Rockets have a heavy-hitting defense that allowed 21 goals in 20 games this year, and the Hawks' depth and gritty schedule should make it hard for others to upend them. Wellesley, who won the tough Bay State Herget division thanks to standout goalie Zeke Testa, will contend, along with New Bedford and its powerhouse offense. Marshfield, Barnstable, and Falmouth will be there as well.
Prediction: Depending on the play-in games, this field could see a number of teams crowned champion. If Waltham doesn't make it to the Super 8 -- the bet here is it will -- it is the favorite in Division 1. In 22 games, they've allowed 27 goals thanks to netminder Steve Hopkins, who leads a senior-heavy squad that features Don Hopkins, Kyle Thomas, and Dan Rowland, the top three scorers in the Greater Boston League.
There was just one question in Division 2 South this year: Just how good is Coyle-Cassidy? The Warriors raised eyebrows with their winning streak that reached 17 games, but it was their win over BC High that made area watchers take notice. They nearly ended up in the Super 8, but were finally passed over. With all that to their credit, it's going to take a monumental effort to unseat the Eastern Athletic Conference champs. You can bet Sandwich (16-2-3) and Martha's Vineyard (12-1-6) are ready for the task. Look for a slew of Hockomock teams -- Canton, Mansfield, King Philip, and Franklin -- to be in the hunt, too.
Prediction: It'd be hard to find an objective observer who thinks Coyle isn't the team to beat here. The Warriors have depth, and top-end skill in forwards Dana Borges and Mario Ranalli. Also, goalie Tim Carey, who owns a microscopic 0.74 goals-against average, has been enough to win on the nights the aggressive Coyle defense isn't clicking. Those nights are rare.
Blue Hills headlines the South teams. It won the last nine Mayflower league titles, and is hungry to add a state crown to the mix. It boasts the state's leading scorer (Mike Kuhn, 42-28 -70) and a stellar goalie in Christian Champagne (1.20 GAA). Look for Somerset, the top seed, Norwell, and Pembroke to make a strong run. Tri-Valley League powers Medway and Ashland will give opponents fits if they bring their best efforts.
Prediction: It'd be a crime if a talent like Kuhn doesn't get a chance to shine in the big spotlight. The bet here is that he will, leading a team that tested itself with tough upper-level games all year. 