Some may name it enjoyable. Others may name it a gluttony for punishment. We name it the highschool hockey crystal ball.
Buckle up, Hockeyland. We’re again.
We’ve waited too many months for the parity and suspense of hockey season to return, nevertheless it’s lastly arrived for what seems like needs to be one other thrilling yr – particularly if the winter’s opening weekend is any indication.
For these unfamiliar, the crystal ball is a weekly preview of seven or eight video games to look at in each girls and boys MIAA hockey, whereas trying to navigate what to anticipate. We take a stab at predicting the winner of those video games, however the primary goal is to focus on premier matchups. More often than not, we’re aiming to seek out the nail-biters with league or state event implications.
The beginning of the season remains to be recent, with a lot nonetheless unknown. However we’re not shying away from the problem, and we’re hoping to enhance on final yr’s .573 win-percentage from what proved to be a wide-open yr.
First, some floor guidelines. Predicted winners are at all times listed in all-caps. No staff is listed twice in a single week for his or her matchups, although typically there are particular exceptions. And lastly, we count on no slack for improper predictions.
With out additional ado …
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 80-58-12 (.573)
**PREDICTED WINNERS in ALL-CAPS**
BOYS
Wednesday
HINGHAM at St. John’s Prep, 6:40 p.m. — You may at all times circle this annual early assembly of Div. 1 juggernauts. It’s the season opener for each and can be a pleasant tone setter. Cam McKenna and a deep group of skilled gamers look to start out robust for the Harbormen.
St. John’s Shrewsbury at POPE FRANCIS, 6:50 p.m. — Pope Francis simply hung with reigning Div. 1 state champion Catholic Memorial regardless of getting closely out-shot in an eventual tie. It now will get the reigning state finalists who ought to have loads of pop regardless of shedding key members from final yr.
Braintree at WEYMOUTH, 7 p.m. — We love a public college rivalry matchup, and this is without doubt one of the higher ones. Wildcats look to proceed early momentum from an enormous win over Needham, however Braintree is at all times a significant hurdle and needs to be robust on D.
ST. MARY’S (L) at Archbishop Williams, 7:10 p.m. — The Catholic Central League title race may come down to those two once more, and each have large ambitions come Div. 1 state tourney time. An early edge and assertion is on the road, with new goalies in every internet.
Saturday
ESSEX TECH at Lynnfield, midday — The brand new Ryan Sheehan regime began with a win within the Hawks’ opener – a rematch of final yr’s Div. 3 state quarterfinal loss to Bedford. Lynnfield figures to once more be within the combine in March, so this can be a probability to show itself as a menace after shedding signature firepower from final yr. Add in that it’s a Cape Ann League tilt for some additional juice.
Dover-Sherborn/Weston at WINTHROP, 3 p.m. — The defending Div. 4 state champs are hungry for a repeat and look match for the half early on. Dover-Sherborn/Weston is at all times a very good measuring stick in that chase.
SCITUATE at Whitman-Hanson, 5:20 p.m. — Each squads characteristic loads of pop of their respective hunts for Div. 3, and Div. 2, rivalry. This can be a Patriot League crossover tilt to watch.
GIRLS
Wednesday
Bishop Stang at BISHOP FEEHAN, 4:30 p.m. — Shamrocks circled this matchup as quickly because it was scheduled, the rematch of final yr’s Div. 1 state quarterfinal loss. Each groups characteristic a few of the finest goaltending within the state. Feehan will want famous person Georgia Murray & Co. to step up for a bounce-back loss within the season opener.
Woburn at MALDEN CATHOLIC, 5 p.m. — Woburn impressed final yr in Div. 2 and figures to compete with the most effective once more now that it’s realigned again to Div. 1. Lancers have an opportunity to show it’s nonetheless within the elite class regardless of graduating prime expertise.
ALGONQUIN at Canton, 5 p.m. — Two packages that at all times appear to be aggressive. The Titans rolled of their first sport below new head coach Will Downs, search for extra early momentum coming off a stunning early exit in final yr’s state event.
St. Mary’s (L) at ARCHBISHOP WILLIAMS, 5:10 p.m. — Catholic Central League rivals collide early. Each are comparatively younger, however that doesn’t matter. This can be a matchup with important Div. 1 implications on the road. St. Mary’s misplaced little from a rebuild final yr, however Archies returns a bit extra.
HPNA at Billerica/Chelmsford, 7 p.m. — By no means depend out both within the at all times cutthroat MVC/DCL Giant. Each prime traces ought to stack up effectively in opposition to each other. This might go both approach.
Saturday
Andover at METHUEN/TEWKSBURY, 5 p.m. — One other traditional MVC/DCL Giant matchup that might come right down to a purpose. Methuen/Tewksbury was higher than everybody in one-goal video games final yr, with returning star goalie Lydia Barnes an enormous a part of that.
Pembroke at MARSHFIELD, 6:20 p.m. — The Patriot League gave us a few of the tightest competitors final yr, and most members certified for the state event. A win right here can be large for a Marshfield group that reached the Div. 2 state semifinals, in opposition to a Pembroke group that took the Judy Gormley Cup to kick off its season.
