LOWELL - The surprising run of Central Catholic continues after it took down Hingham, 3-2, in a Super 8 game at Tsongas Arena yesterday.
"It was a good win for us," said Cam Keller, who made 35 stops for the Raiders. "I am exhausted and it was hot out there, but I am really happy we won."
A 3-point day by sophomore Connor McPhee, including the winning goal at 8:35 of the third period, helped give the Raiders all the offense they needed.
"The team came out a little jittery without that leadership," said Central coach Mike Jankowski, referring to the fact his squad features just three seniors. "But Connor and his line really helped settle things down."
They did that by getting the Raiders off on the right foot, just 1:01 into the game when a long and seemingly harmless flick from Nick Leonard found its way to the back of the net. McPhee and Steve Balsamo were credited with assists.
Central took back-to-back penalties, allowing Hingham to get back into the game. On the second penalty, Charlie Cifrino buried a Tim Driscoll feed at 5:44 to tie the game at 1.
The Harbormen used the momentum to grab the lead less than two minutes later when Jamie Wilson tipped Eric Sherman's shot under Keller's glove.
Those two quick goals could have been Central's undoing, but the team came together and battled back.
"Coming into this season we thought we were a year away talent-wise," said Jankowski. "But the success we have had speaks volumes about the kind of chemistry we have in our locker room."
McPhee got the Raiders back into the game with a shorthanded goal. McPhee stole a feed in the defensive zone, zipped down the ice by himself, and beat Nate Eagan with a nifty move to tie the game.
"We were pretty calm coming in, and during the game," said McPhee. "I just try to work really hard and see what happens."
The most notable occurrence in the second period was the goal that wasn't. Hingham had a chance on a power play when it scored what appeared to be the go-ahead goal, but it was waved off by officials.
"We had a few chances like that one," said Hingham coach Tony Messina. "But the official said it hit the post, as did the goal judge. It was no goal."
The third period was a tight affair until McPhee scored the game's deciding goal with a laser beam of a wrist shot from the slot that beat a sprawling Eagan. Balsamo and Ryan Abraham grabbed assists on the play.
"That line of McPhee, Leonard, and either Balsamo or [Tommy] Evangelista has a ton of talent and skill," said Jankowski, whose team improved to 16-0-7. "They are a ton of fun to watch, and I would take them against any other line out there."
