BILLERICA - Waltham coach John Maguire's first comment was an understatement. His next was indisputable.
"Great high school hockey game," said Maguire after his team's thrilling, 1-0 shootout win over Westford Academy last night. "I think we have one of the best goalies in the state in Hopkins."
Steve Hopkins, Waltham's senior goalie, matched Westford's Curt Serafini save for save, and after 53 minutes, neither one blinked. In a shootout, Hopkins thwarted four Grey Ghosts and sent the Hawks into the Super 8.
Hopkins will need to be even better Saturday when Waltham takes on top-seeded Catholic Memorial in the first round at the DCU Center in Worcester.
After making 34 saves in regulation and OT, Hopkins denied Westford's Pat Sullivan and Bob Laroche, and Craig Cardone missed wide with a backhand. Meanwhile, Adam Dellaire and Kyle Thomas converted for Waltham.
Jim Houghton, shooting fourth for Westford, stuffed the puck on the outside of the post.
There were no goals in regulation, but this was no trap-and-lock struggle. There were numerous chances for both teams, but the Hawks had the most firepower, and nearly cashed in during the third period and overtime.
With first-line center Dan Rowland's injured wrist relegating him to the role of bench cheerleader, the Hawks forwards stepped up. The first line of Don Hopkins, Dellaire, and Thomas was on fire, and the lightning-quick Thomas hit the post twice - once in the third and once in overtime - with rocket shots.
Xaverian 3, Needham 0 - It was a clash of styles. In the play-in round of the Super 8 at the Chelmsford Forum, Needham was physical at the start. But Xaverian was patient, moved the puck sensibly, defended well, and left with a tidy win last night.
"We tried to be poised and composed. We wanted to keep them at bay, and work hard," said coach Dave Spinale, whose team will play Hingham Saturday in the first round at the DCU Center.
It was the second zero the Hawks hung on the Rockets, the first a 2-0 win Dec. 29. Needham, without leading scorer Mike Cox (shoulder), was shut out for the second game in a row.
On the opening shift, Needham defenseman Will Rayner planted Xaverian's Matt Hennessey. Seconds later, forward Cody Sharib drove to the net and hit the post. But the hits didn't otherwise translate to chances, as Needham's lone shot of the first came at the 6:30 mark.
Meanwhile, Xaverian fired shots from the outside, and capitalized when Matt Glennon's shot from the left circle was tipped home by Jack Walsh at 11:34.
With less than a minute remaining in the second, the Hawks' Chris Wagner hit a streaking Matt Morin, who deked goalie Sam Gifford for a 2-0 lead.
