Reading enters public domain
LOWELL - For a program with many exciting chapters in its history, Reading hasn't had many recently.
They were quickly bounced out of last year's Super 8 tournament, dropping three consecutive games by a wide margin. Two years ago, same story - an early tournament exit.
With 11 seniors on Reading's roster, this season was time to put up or shut up. And the Rockets keep putting up, last night attacking the Xaverian net in a 5-2 victory that advanced them to their first Super 8 final, against Malden Catholic Sunday at TD Banknorth Garden.
"What are you going to do?" said Reading coach Peter Doherty. "These same kids played last year, but they couldn't beat anybody."
Reading has the chance to become the first public school to win the state's top prize since Hudson in 1978. Reading came close in 1988, falling to Catholic Memorial, 3-1, in the Division 1 final. Weymouth went to the Super 8 final last year, but lost to BC High, 6-1.
Rob Toczylowski is well-versed in Rockets history, but he thinks this group is special. "Day in, day out, we leave everything at the door and play our game," he said.
The first period was scoreless, but Reading wasted no time taking the lead in the second. Off the opening faceoff, Pat Kiley got the puck and pushed across the Xaverian blue line. He lost control of the puck, but it slid on the fresh sheet of ice all the way through goalie Kyle MacDonald's pads.
At 1:51, Xaverian's Andrew White was called for tripping. On the power play, Garrett Collins ripped a big blast that MacDonald deflected into the stands, and it was apparent Collins wanted the puck again. Kiley slid a pass that Collins measured, then he uncorked a slapper that split MacDonald's pads for a two-goal lead at 2:52.
Xaverian soon woke up. Matt Glennon's chance was turned aside by Reading netminder Jeff Wyer, but John Sperzel was there for the putback. Only 36 seconds later, Wyer sprawled to make a save, and Jack Walsh roofed the rebound to tie it at 2-2.
Reading defenseman Quinlan Junta blasted home a feed from Kiley to put the Rockets up, 3-2, at 7:03. Toczylowski tied up defenders in front of the net, and MacDonald likely never saw the puck.
"That's usually my job on the power play - create some havoc," said Toczylowski. "When I was a freshman, [our seniors] taught me tricks to stay out in front, and I've been using them ever since."
Reading needed no trickery to put it away in the third period, junior Ryan Arsenault beating MacDonald for a shorthanded goal at 5:01. Toczylowski added another score at 6:15. 