Super 8: CM Eliminates Burlington

Stoneham, MA-In an elimination game in the losers’ bracket of the Super 8, the Burlington Red Devils took on the Catholic Memorial Knights at Stoneham Arena. Catholic Memorial was able to come back and stun the Red Devils on two late goals by Zach Callahan and Mac Casper. Sophomore Dom Walecka was solid in the net to earn the win. Burlington’s goalie Joe Trabucco was very good in a loss. Burlington is eliminated after a great year. CM will play St. John’s Prep next who lost to Arlington in the second game tonight. Report on that soon.

Both teams came out fast and hard. CM was able to get pucks deep and create some chances in deep. Red Devil goalie made a great left lad save on Jonny Nichols with 6:33 left. A couple minutes later, Colin Browne got the post to the right of CM’s sophomore goalie Walecka. Burlington outshot CM 9-6 but the quality chances were even. Definitely some feeling out but the pace and physicality were there all period.

The second period mirrored the first. Both teams generated chances but neither could capitalize. Only one penalty through two periods and two well coached teams led to very few clean zone entries or clean shots. Lots of sticks on pucks and blocked shots to be had. Goalies played well with Trabucco making the toughest save early on as he flashed the glove on a rebound shot. Shots were 8-8 and the score remained 0-0 after two periods.

All three goals came in the third period. Just 1:31 in, Jacob Vozikis stoke a puck, undressed a CM defenseman and deked CM’s Walecka for a sensational goal. The lead held as Trabucco looked unbeatable. Then the Knights caught a break as a rebound of a Seamus Burke shot came off the back boards and senior Callahan backhanded it home. The game was tied with 3:09 left and appeared headed to overtime. That never happened, however, as Mac Casper ripped one up top for the game winner with just 34.9 seconds left. Glen Considine assisted on the winner. The horn sounded and CM had pulled odd the comeback to stay alive.

Three Stars

1. Mac Casper, CM

2. Dom Walecka, CM

3. Joe Trabucco, Burlington

TTPA Trevor Janis, Burlington

NZ Notes: For Burlington; the game seemed in hand and if they had been able to get the second goal, that would have sealed the game. Trubucco was superb in the net. He improved all year and made some really difficult stops tonight. High ceiling as he is athletic and has size. Vozikis’ goal was as nice as we have seen all year. He showed speed skill and poise to score. Th senior would make a prep school very happy. All the Burlington defenseman played well and will be featured in our second Mass HS report. The first one is here. Janis was terrific and played the best we have seen all year. He was tough and hammered some guys as well as some shots. Ryan O’Halloran has been a fixture and it will be interesting to see which direction he goes. He is one of the very finest athletes in the MIAA. We’ll pay attention to his baseball season. Burlington was a top 5 team almost all year and we are not sure this changes that. Congrats to the Red Devils and their staff. They have a model program. For Catholic Memorial; They didn’t take one penalty! Walecka kept them close enough to pull this win off. They stayed the course and got the win. Kevin McCarthy was excellent. Clogs lanes. Has great size and defensive instincts. Played in all situations and the senior led by example. Senior Will MacNeill showed serious wheels, sick hands and sharp edges. Casper is dangerous in the zone and ripped the winner home. Ice in his veins. Callahan is strong, not pretty but effective and immovable near the net. Hits like a truck. Paul Guiney hit at his blue, showed a balanced stride and took care of his net. Heavy game.

Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images