MIDDLETON – On Jan. 18, St. John’s Prep boys hockey head coach Kristian Hanson referred to as Catholic Memorial the state’s clear high crew after it beat Xaverian by 5 within the Catholic Convention Showcase.
Ten days later, he nonetheless calls it the very best, which solely makes the No. 6 Eagles’ (8-3-1) 2-1 triumph Wednesday night time that rather more significant, snapping the No. 1 Knights’ seven-game win streak at Essex Sports activities Middle.
Sophomore goalie Jesse Bernardinelli was spectacular with 34 saves, backing a scrappy defensive exhibiting that went 4-for-4 on the penalty kill and held CM (12-2-1) scoreless within the second and third intervals.
“At present was nearly grit and dedication, and saying, ‘We’re not going to lose this recreation,’ ” Hanson mentioned. “And competing proper, actually, till the final buzzer. I couldn’t be extra impressed with the group. … I believe the most important optimistic for us at present was for those who exit and compete, and provides your all, that you could be in a recreation in opposition to anyone.”
Luke Horenstein’s objective 10 minutes into the primary interval proved the game-winner, lifting SJP to a fourth straight win. All 4 have come in opposition to Catholic Convention opponents, retaining the Eagles within the convention title race as they path the No. 1 Knights by two factors with two video games to go.
“That is enormous,” Horenstein mentioned. “They’re the No. 1 crew proper now, so hopefully this will bump us up a bit bit. … If we will simply follow our methods and follow fundamentals, we will win video games like that.”
St. John’s Prep may really feel the significance of its begin to the sport because it developed, taking a 1-0 lead on a power-play objective from Brennan Waters lower than eight minutes in. He shot into site visitors from the purpose, and it deflected off a physique into the online.
Shortly after killing of the Knights’ first energy play, Ryan Finkle made an ideal play to keep up possession within the offensive zone and related with Horenstein for the objective and a 2-0 lead with 7:00 left within the first.
Catholic Memorial freshman goalie Jaxon Fleming (15 saves) is pretty much as good as they arrive, exhibiting that with a save on a penalty shot and some different dynamic performs afterward. Horenstein’s IQ on the objective impressed Hanson.
“(Horenstein) collected, shot,” Hanson mentioned. “If you wish to rating in opposition to a goalie of that caliber, then don’t give him an opportunity to arrange.”
The Knights obtained a objective again with 3:38 left within the first. Christian Hinckle skated across the again of the online to the left nook and located Landon Carlson within the slot for a snap that lower the deficit to 2-1.
Two completely different SJP penalties introduced 4 almost consecutive minutes of energy play time for the Knights within the second, serving to them pepper Bernardinelli with 14 pictures. The sophomore was regular, together with a pair of highlight-reel saves that seemed like positive objectives.
“He performed a helluva recreation,” Horenstein mentioned.
Because the Knights restricted the Eagles to 5 pictures within the third (which Fleming wanted to make a pair distinctive saves on), their stress continued. St. John’s Prep’s protection battled to restrict exercise on the within, and Bernardinelli remained regular.
“(Bernardinelli) was nice,” Hanson mentioned. “He’s obtained such a very good demeanor, calm and composed. Underneath stress, he was there for us at present.”
The ultimate take a look at was a penalty with 1:39 left, giving CM the chance for a 6-on-4 when it pulled Fleming with a couple of minute to go.
“They’re an incredible crew,” Hanson mentioned. “You actually wish to attempt to keep out of the penalty field. And after I noticed that arm go up with 1:39 left, I may solely envision them going 6-on-4, and 6 purple shirts out there’s a fairly scary sight. However (Anthony Petrucelli), and (Tim McColgan) on the finish, and (JR Goldstein) and (Kevin Correa) simply competed so arduous for each puck.”
