MIDDLETON – A two-goal, first-period rally. Six penalties to kill off. A game-tying objective within the final six minutes of regulation – twice. Scoreless extra time.
There was no scarcity of obstacles that Hingham and St. John’s Prep confronted when the 2 Div. 1 juggernauts clashed of their respective boys hockey season openers Wednesday evening at Essex Sports activities Middle, buying and selling clutch moments towards adversity. But neither relented in the long run, enjoying to an exhilarating 4-4 tie.
Each head coaches recognized clear errors that their groups might want to right as they every determine to contend for a title come March. Additionally they recognized clear positives in a real barn-burner.
And so far as constructing blocks go, they agreed this was fairly a beginning place.
“Glorious tempo,” mentioned Hingham head coach Tony Messina. “I’m happy with the staff. … Little resilience there. First recreation of the 12 months, you’ve bought to be proud of that. (St. John’s Prep head coach Kristian Hanson) and I have been speaking after the sport – each groups can construct off this one. Lot of studying (factors) and we each performed fairly good contemplating we’ve been skating for 2 weeks.”
St. John’s Prep discovered itself in a two-goal deficit about 10 minutes in, as Hingham’s second and third strains produced John Walsh and Aiden Rotondo targets solely 31 seconds aside. The Harbormen managed play for a lot of that stretch, showcasing their premier velocity.
It solely took the Eagles two minutes to reply, although, as Andrew Macaulay (objective, help) tipped a Logan Daigle shot from the purpose to Luke Horenstein (two targets) on the put up for a objective and a one-goal deficit. Hingham bought a bit sloppy to shut out the interval with a 5-on-3 drawback, and Sefton Paradis – who stood out all recreation on protection – scored the tying objective with 0.3 seconds left within the body.
“We get down 2-0 early, so that actually examined our resolve there,” Hanson mentioned. “It was good for us to see guys step up and get these two targets and get us proper again into the sport. … Hingham’s an important staff. This recreation is a battle yearly. … Video games like that is what sort of prepares us for larger issues afterward.”
Penalties continued to plague Hingham, having to kill off 5:53 of penalty time within the second interval to maintain it tied. It succeeded, however Horenstein scored once more with 1:27 left within the second for St. John’s Prep’s first lead of the sport.
“Luke performed restricted varsity final 12 months,” Hanson mentioned. “Scoring two targets … he’s fairly good across the internet. That’s what we hope to get out of him, so good job for Luke.”
The Eagles did effectively on protection to close down Hingham’s potent high line, however couldn’t stave off its entire assault down the stretch. Fourth-liner Sean Callahan scored off assists from linemates Charlie Peak and Brett Larson to tie the sport at 3-3 with 5:50 left in regulation.
St. John’s Prep answered with Macaulay’s first tally of the 12 months to regain the lead a couple of minute later, however Hingham’s Brendan McCarthy (objective, help) lit the lamp with 2:22 to play to once more tie up the rating.
“I’ve bought to offer the youngsters credit score. We requested for a giant third interval and we bought it,” Messina mentioned. “We’ve a ton of seniors. We’ve 16 seniors and eight juniors. I challenged them between the second and the third, mentioned ‘What number of guys performed in these video games final 12 months?’ Greater than half the room raised their hand. Everybody’s been on this scenario earlier than. So, we’ve bought to depend on the fellows which have been there, they usually proved it.”
Hanson wasn’t happy with SJP permitting the late targets to permit Hingham to power extra time, however was proud of the response in extra time to not crumble and lead pictures on objective 4-0.
The Eagles led pictures 33-25 total.
