Panthers sprint past Braintree for win
BOURNE - Both Springfield Cathedral and Braintree stress the importance of starting fast.
In last night's Division 1 South boys' hockey final, Springfield Cathedral sprinted out of the gate. The Panthers scored twice in the first 6 minutes 20 seconds and never looked back as they beat Braintree, 3-1.
Springfield Cathedral (17-3-2) will play Arlington Catholic for the Division 1 state title at TD Banknorth Garden Sunday.
"It is a big part of the game for us to get out to the early lead," said Springfield Cathedral coach Brian Foley. "We came out and came out strong and it was a big lift."
"The first five minutes are the most important part of the game," said Braintree coach David Fasano. "Our goal is to jump on teams, get a lead, and not look back. We weren't able to match their tempo and that cost us."
It took the Panthers 1:42 to get on the board against a Wamps team (16-6-1) that had yet to allow a goal in the tournament.
Defenseman Brendan Geary fired a shot from the point that was deflected by Michael Foley past Braintree goalie Robby Campbell.
The Panthers outshot the Wamps, 19-10, in the first.
The Panthers had a couple of golden opportunities to increase their lead. Ryan Fernandes whistled a shot glove side on Campbell but it hit the crossbar. While shorthanded, Keith MacDonald intercepted a pass and raced up ice on a breakaway. He tried to deke Campbell, but the goalie got a shoulder on the puck.
Cathedral found pay dirt again at 6:20 when Austin Orszulak, from the faceoff circle, fed Dan Fenton at the far post. Fenton tapped the puck in for a 2-0 lead.
In the second period, Braintree played with intensity and desperation. Braintree held Cathedral to six shots and contained most of the play in the Panther end.
"We had plenty of chances," said Fasano. "We weren't in position to sit back and we threw everything at them. We had three or four golden opportunities in the second. The puck just didn't bounce our way."
Braintree was unable to capitalize on its four power plays. The best chance was on a breakaway when Brian Downing stole a pass, sprinted up the ice, and attempted to deke Cathedral goalie Stephan Audet. He went to the backhand but lifted his shot high and wide.
Cathedral increased its lead with just over three minutes gone in the second frame. Fenton fed Fernandes in the slot, who found a wide-open Orszulak at the far post.
Braintree's Tim Harrington scored a late goal in the third period.
