LOWELL - Malden Catholic finally stopped Hingham last night at Tsongas Arena, and ended the Harbormen's Super 8 title dreams in the process.
Sophomore defenseman Mark Adams scored the go-ahead shootout goal on a backhand past Nate Eagan (22 saves), and John Carbonneau (21 saves) stuffed Hingham's fifth attempt to secure the victory.
By virtue of its 3-2 shootout victory (the teams were tied at 4 after overtime), Malden Catholic (13-5-4) jumped to 2-0 and into a tie with Catholic Conference rival Xaverian atop Bracket 2. The Lancers and Hawks will play in the crossover round. Hingham and St. John's Prep will not.
"Last year we got here, and we lost three games," Malden Catholic coach Chris Serino said of the team's quick Super 8 exit last season. "Our goal this year was to come in and go into the next round. It's a big step for our program. Over the last three years, we've come a long way."
MC and Hingham remained deadlocked at 2-2 for three straight attempts in the shootout before Adams scored.
Hingham, which rallied to tie three times, scored twice in the second period and once in the third to force overtime, Brendan Wilbur netting the only third-period goal at 11:17.
After Tony Serino pushed MC's lead to 3-1 with 9:16 left in the second period, Hingham used a timeout - and a brief five-on-three - to get back in the contest. Wilbur scored from outside the slot and Cam Spiro tied it 22 seconds later.
Craig Carbonneau produced the best goal of the evening with 8:15 to go in the first period. Rushing in on a two-on-one with Andrew Cerretani, Carbonneau waited patiently while the Hingham defenseman dove desperately at the puck.
Patiently observing the red-and-white jersey slide past him, Carbonneau lifted the puck over Eagan's shoulder to give MC a 2-1 lead.
BC High 3, Waltham 0 - BC High was shocked, stunned, and upset after its 2-1 loss to Reading in the first round. But the defending Super 8 champion made certain it didn't drop further in Bracket 1, shaking off its opening loss and taking it to a snakebitten Waltham squad. The Eagles left Tsongas Arena with a win, and a surge of momentum going into tomorrow's final round-robin match against Catholic Memorial (1-1). The teams will play for a spot in the crossover round.
"We were disappointed on Saturday," said Eagles coach Joe McCabe, whose team outshot the Hawks, 17-5, in the first period. "I was pleased with the kids' effort tonight."
BC High captain John Heffernan put a fake on Steve Hopkins and scored at 1:06 of the first. He then set up the Eagles' second marker early in the second period. "He threw the puck in front, and it bounced in off my skate and in," said winger P.J. Martina.
Waltham's scoring struggles continued. The Hawks haven't scored in their last 163 minutes of play, relying on Hopkins (32 saves) to carry the load.
"I think he's a spectacular goalie," said McCabe. "I think he's had an outstanding year and I hope there's a lot of college guys looking out for him. And I'd say the same thing about my guy [Sam Marotta, who made 24 saves]."
BC High's win ensured that Reading (2-0) will advance.
Globe correspondent Matt Porter contributed to this report.
