MC takes a final step
LOWELL - What, you didn't think a Catholic school would have a chance for the final say?
The Super 8 party is hosted by Reading at the moment. After last night's Super 8 semifinal nightcap at Tsongas Arena, it will be Malden Catholic's job to crash it Sunday night (7:30) at TD Banknorth Garden.
Malden Catholic defeated Catholic Memorial, 3-2, in an inevitable matchup of Catholic Conference powers, which had five schools in the tournament.
Malden Catholic will make its first appearance in the Super 8 final, contributing to the drought of perennial power CM (it hasn't won the tournament since 2005).
"There's no guarantees that you'll go to the Super 8," Malden Catholic coach Chris Serino said. "It's a huge step for this program. Obviously, I think it's a huge step for our underclassmen to get a taste of what it's like, and hopefully we'll get here again."
Catholic Memorial (16-3-3) defeated Malden Catholic (15-5-4) twice in the regular season, but the Lancers made sure the third time was their charm.
"It always comes down to teams from the Catholic Conference," CM coach Bill Hanson said. "MC has gotten better and better. They're very resilient."
Freshman forward Mike Vecchione ended a stalemate in the third period, spinning and firing in a shot from the slot with 2:37 remaining. Freshman Alex Minter found Vecchione for the open look.
"It was very exciting for me," Vecchione said. "It felt like a ton of weight was lifted off my shoulders at the moment. I'd never thought I'd be here right now - going to the Garden and playing for the state championship as a freshman."
The teams combined for just six shots in the final period, as the fireworks were saved until the end.
Down, 2-0, to a vigorous CM squad in the second period, MC came out with a chip on its shoulder.
The Lancers scored 1:23 in, as Jason Yeomelakis finished off a two-on-one to cut CM's lead to 2-1.
Malden Catholic's Greg Crovo knotted the score with 9:18 left in the period on a slap shot that CM goaltender Tom Conlin (11 saves) barely had a second to look at.
The Knights didn't need long to take off. Nearly doubling Malden Catholic in shots (13-7) in the first period, CM showed that it came to Tsongas on rested legs.
Derek Colucci was in the right place at the right time - the slot - three minutes into the game, beating MC netminder John Carbonneau (20 saves).
Six minutes later, Shane Walsh fed the puck in front, where Troy Starrett was waiting to Carbonneau's right. With defensive pressure, Starrett managed to lift the puck in to give CM a 2-0 lead.
"Everybody was down in the first period and yelling at each other," Vecchione said. "But in the second and third period, we worked together as a team."
And now they'll be working together at the Garden.
rising
falling 