Xaverian Uses Two Second Half Goals to Beat St. John’s Shrewsbury 2-1

Marlborough, MA – Neutral Zone was in attendance virtually at the New England Sports Center to watch a Catholic Conference matchup between St. John’s Shrewsbury and Xaverian Brothers School. The Catholic Conference is playing a league-only schedule this year comprised of 10 games (home and home versus each team). The games are broken into two 22.5 minute halves. The two teams played 48 hours prior in Canton, MA where the Hawks skated away with a 1-0 win. Xaverian would use two second half goals to skate away with a hard fought 2-1 win tonight.

Xaverian started fast and had some sustained pressure on St. John’s to start the game. However, it was the Pioneers that would strike first. On the power play, Evan Parente (Grafton, MA) would walk off the half wall before snapping the puck through a screen and past the Xaverian netminder. There would be a few penalties, including a 5-on-3 advantage for Xaverian, but the first half would end with the home team ahead by one.

The second half was back and forth with each team generating a bunch of quality chances. Both Kevin McGrath (Milton, MA) and Ryan Dailida (Shrewsbury, MA) were strong between the pipes and took away a few sure goals. Xaverian was finally able to break through with about six minutes to go in the game. After a centering pass, the puck popped into the slot to a waiting Jack Silva (Bridgewater, MA) who fired the puck into the back of the net. Less than two minutes later, Xaverian would take the lead for good, when Brock Casey (Needham, MA) received a nice pass in the high slot and ripped a shot under the bar. St. John’s would mount some pressure at the end of the game, but couldn’t find the equalizer.

Three Stars:

  1. F Jack Silva, Xaverian
  2. G Kevin McGrath, Xaverian
  3. F Evan Parente, St. John’s Shrewsbury

NZ Notes

Two very strong teams played a solid two-way game. Each team generated chances and moved the puck well. Both teams play physical and work hard on both ends of then ice. Both teams received strong goaltending and have power plays that can move the puck well and generate chances. 

For the home team, Brett Edgren (Northborough, MA) had a solid night. He was consistently around the puck generating chances. He takes good angles pressuring the puck and uses his stick to clog lanes. He has good feet and can change direction quickly. He has an average stride but thinks the game well and gets into good positions. Evan Parente is used in all situations. He has a big shot and long reach which he uses to protect the puck. He is calm with the puck on his stick and will fight through traffic to get the puck to the net. He has a quick, accurate release and shoots to corners. Damon Myers (Worcester, MA) was also noticeable. He is long and has a fluid stride. He drives wide and keeps his feet moving to put pressure on defenders. He is still rounding out areas of his game but he made some nice reads in traffic and has a high ceiling. In net, Dailida was solid. He made some sprawling saves to keep the lead (at the time). He is athletic and moves well post-to-post. He handles the puck well and helps his defensemen.

For the Hawks, the usual cast of characters had solid nights. Jack Silva scored the tying goal by getting to the front of the net. He uses his body well to protect the puck and is willing to get to the dirty areas to make plays. He is efficient on the power play and will shoot from anywhere. Shane Spinale (Canton, MA) was solid again. He is fluid with the puck and handles it under pressure. He is creative and tries to make some nice reads through multiple zones. He runs the PP well and facilitates the puck to the open man. He retrieves pucks well and starts the breakout seamlessly. Kevin McGrath continued his solid play between the pipes. He gave up a seeing-eye shot in the first half but then closed the door. He cut down angles well and took away the net. He didn’t give up many rebounds and stayed square to shooters. He was big down the stretch protecting the one goal lead and shut the door in the last minute to pick up another two points for Xaverian.