It’s considerably becoming the MIAA Match Administration Committee has a Tremendous 8 return on its agenda when it meets Tuesday, contemplating it coincides with the beginning of a Div. 1 state match that might finish with a dynasty the Div. 1A bracket was partly created in response to.
And but, as dynasties may emerge throughout quite a lot of divisions in boys hockey this postseason, none ought to diminish what will probably be yet one more heart-throbbing three weeks.
Catholic Convention powers as soon as once more rule the highest of the favorites board in Div. 1, headlined by No. 1 Catholic Memorial (17-2-1). It has arguably the state’s most formidable protection and is powerful between the pipes with freshman Jaxson Fleming. Between that and its scoring depth, the Knights may earn the primary Div. 1 repeat title since Burlington 13 years in the past (or BC Excessive within the 2019 Tremendous Eight).
No. 3 St. John’s Prep (15-3-2) is the final workforce to beat CM, using an 11-game win streak into what it hopes will probably be a 3rd Div. 1 state title in 5 years. The Eagles’ assault is simply as balanced and their protection is flexible in the way it limits opponents. Paired with No. 2 Xaverian (15-4-1) and its unbeaten report exterior of convention play, the Catholic Convention may give Div. 1 at the very least three private-school representatives within the Remaining 4 for a fifth straight 12 months.
And if it’s not these three, No. 8 St. John’s (S) (11-8-1) and No. 9 BC Excessive (10-9-1) have appeared like potential threats to go on a run as effectively.
No. 4 Arlington (17-5) and No. 5 Studying (16-3-2) have matched up effectively towards anybody this 12 months, and will probably meet for an epic state quarterfinal. No. 17 Winchester (11-9-2) can also be no stranger to head-turning Cinderella runs within the state match the previous few years out of the Middlesex League.
Shut-outs have been powerful for No. 6 Hingham (14-6-2), however an assault as loaded as anybody’s instills confidence. No. 11 Weymouth (16-4) might be a serious roadblock on an eight-game win streak.
There’s little doubt No. 7 Pope Francis (14-5-3) is in competition once more. It might want to get previous a No. 10 St. Mary’s of Lynn (11-9-2) that challenged it twice within the common season, although No. 23 Bishop Feehan (7-13-2) may stun the Spartans first in a 3rd assembly.
Each No. 12 Archbishop Williams (9-10-2) and No. 14 Arlington Catholic (15-6-1) had rocky moments within the common season, however after they play their recreation, they’ll play with the most effective.
No. 15 Marshfield or No. 18 Natick may experience momentum after dealing with off, each searching for a rematch towards Xaverian. No. 19 Chelmsford might be bother for No. 14 Arlington Catholic. So may No. 21 Central Catholic for Archies, No. 24 Malden Catholic has already crushed BC Excessive this 12 months, and No. 13 Framingham versus No. 20 Lincoln-Sudbury needs to be a good affair.
The stage was set within the Ed Burns Espresso Pot Match for an exciting Div. 2 state ultimate preview, just for No. 1 Canton (19-1) to roll over No. 2 Tewksbury (18-1-1). That shouldn’t detract from the sturdy chance of a rematch at TD Backyard. Few defenses are as sturdy because the Bulldogs’ in what’s been a dominant 12 months as the highest public-school workforce, although it’s onerous to think about Tyler Bourgea and Tewksbury’s potent assault being slowed all the way down to that impact once more.
No. 3 Falmouth (15-5-2) has appeared like a drive many instances this 12 months, taking the subsequent step on protection whereas that includes a robust prime line with depth behind it. No. 4 Burlington (14-5-1) is a harmful group with sturdy goaltending if it’s wholesome. It may match up with No. 5 Woburn (11-7-2) within the state quarterfinals, which is a rematch from an earlier time beyond regulation thriller.
Sixth-seeded Westwood (17-2-1) hasn’t misplaced in 15 video games. No. 7 Milton (11-9-1) has confirmed to be powerful out of an improved Bay State Convention this 12 months, although, No. 10 King Philip (13-5-2) stands tall as certainly one of Div. 2’s prime sleepers. By no means rely out reigning champion No. 11 Billerica (9-9-2) from making noise. No. 13 Duxbury (9-12-1) has appeared like a unique workforce for the higher within the second half of the 12 months.
One other dynasty may emerge in Div. 3, with reigning champion No. 2 Nauset (15-2-3) enjoying for a 3rd straight journey to TD Backyard. This 12 months’s unit has the horsepower to repeat, although the problem seems to be stronger.
Realignments introduced Hanover to Div. 3, and the hard-working No. 1 Hawks (16-2-2) showcased their issue earlier by taking Nauset to time beyond regulation. Exterior of a loss to No. 7 Scituate, no one else has been in a position to get the most effective of them.
No. 7 Scituate (11-7-2) additionally introduced Nauset to time beyond regulation earlier this 12 months, in a position to stand up massive towards premier competitors. No. 4 Pembroke (15-3-2) is one other Patriot League risk with one of many division’s most potent assaults. Although, No. 5 Shawsheen Tech (17-2-1) is a possible street block as a fellow top-10 scoring workforce.
The Tri-Valley League contends, too, as No. 3 Medfield (16-4) seems to be for revenge towards Nauset from final 12 months’s state ultimate. No. 13 Norwood (11-8-1) might be a thorn.
Sixth-seeded Dracut/Tyngsboro (17-1-2) isn’t a workforce to take calmly in a program 12 months, nor are No. 9 Essex Tech (11-7-2), No. 10 Methuen (14-5-1) or No. 11 Nashoba (13-5-2).
Probably the most wide-open race in boys hockey may be very doubtless in Div. 4, as all however two groups seeded within the top-10 have at the very least 5 losses this 12 months – a lot of which come towards sturdy groups from greater divisions.
No. 1 Stoneham (13-7) is chief amongst them, shedding simply three video games exterior of crossover Middlesex League play. Two of them had been to a surging No. 4 Wilmington (11-8-1), establishing what might be an all-time Freedom matchup within the Remaining 4 ought to they meet.
Second-seeded Littleton/Bromfield (19-1) and No. 9 St. Bernard’s (17-3) are the winningest groups of the highest 10, seeking to translate wins over fringe top-10 groups into deep runs.
No. 8 Sandwich (8-10-2) is essentially the most battle-tested after the Freedom powers with a couple of notable performances underneath its belt to instill confidence. Subsequent is No. 3 Dover-Sherborn/Weston (12-9), which is sharpened from a loaded TVL and tight losses to fellow Div. 4 contenders.
Reigning champion No. 5 Winthrop (12-6-2) is true there within the dynasty dialog as a repeat risk, ending the 12 months unbeaten in eight of its final 9 video games. No. 6 Norwell (13-5-3) turned heads with an 11-game unbeaten shut out, together with a tie towards Nauset.
No. 7 Martha’s Winery (12-8) made an announcement as a workforce to observe with a win over D-S/Weston final week. No. 10 Hudson (13-6-1) has two game-changing forwards to be careful for as a risk, whereas No. 11 North Studying and No. 12 Abington may make noise.
PREDICTIONS
Div. 1
Champion: No. 3 St. John’s Prep
Remaining 4: No. 1 Catholic Memorial, No. 2 Xaverian, No. 3 St. John’s Prep, No. 4 Arlington
High Sleepers: No. 11 Weymouth, No. 12 Archbishop Williams
Potential Upset: No. 23 Bishop Feehan over No. 10 St. Mary’s (L)
Finest First Spherical Matchup: No. 15 Marshfield vs No. 18 Natick
Div. 2
Champion: No. 1 Canton
Remaining 4: No. 1 Canton, No. 2 Tewksbury, No. 5 Woburn, No. 6 Westwood
High Sleepers: No. 10 King Philip, No. 13 Duxbury
Potential Upset: No. 19 Beverly over No. 14 Whitman-Hanson
Finest First Spherical Matchup: No. 13 Duxbury vs No. 20 Boston Latin
Div. 3
Champion: No. 2 Nauset
Remaining 4: No. 1 Hanover, No. 2 Nauset, No. 3 Medfield, No. 4 Pembroke
High Sleepers: No. 7 Scituate, No. 9 Essex Tech
Potential Upset: No. 21 Danvers over No. 13 Westfield
Finest First Spherical Matchup: No. 15 Middleboro/Carver/Wareham vs No. 18 Taunton
Div. 4
Champion: No. 6 Norwell
Remaining 4: No. 1 Stoneham, No. 4 Wilmington, No. 6 Norwell, No. 7 Martha’s Winery
High Sleepers: No. 8 Sandwich, No. 10 Hudson
Potential Upset: No. 12 Abington over No. 5 Winthrop
Finest First Spherical Matchup: No. 10 Hudson vs No. 23 Bourne
