Canton, MA – Neutral Zone was in attendance for the 2021 My Hockey Live Pat Serio Cup held at the Canton Ice House. This was Day 2 of the event and pitted the winners and losers against each other from the night before. Xaverian had beaten St. John’s Shrewsbury and Marshfield had beaten Framingham. This set us up for two competitive games.
Consolation Game: Framingham vs. St. John’s Shrewsbury
The consolation game would not be decided until well into the third period. Each team came out a bit flat in the first period and each squad was trying to feel each other out. A good portion of the first was played in the neutral zone and both goalies, Troy Huber for Framingham and Ben Gaudette for SJS were up to the task. The period ended 0-0.
The second period started in much the same way until there were eight minutes left in the frame, that’s when SJS broke the ice. Sophomore forward Trevor Potenti tipped a shot from the point from junior defender Zach MacLeod past the Framingham netminder. The score remained the same until two minutes were left when Framingham got the equalizer. Skilled sophomore Noah Albright jumped on a loose puck off a scramble in front and slid the puck into the net. The assist on the play went to Davin Nichols, who centered the puck. The game entered the third period knotted at one.
The third period was back and forth and each team had some chances. The tie was finally broken with four minutes remaining in the game when sophomore forward Luke Gerardi one-timed a pass from senior forward Evan Parente in the high slot past the goalie. Framingham had some pressure at the end of the game with the goalie pulled, but SJS was able to close out the 2-1 victory.
Three Stars:
- F Luke Gerardi, SJS
- F Evan Parente, SJS
- F Noah Albright, Framingham
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Championship Game: Xaverian vs. Marshfield
The Championship game showcased two of the stronger teams in the state. The first period was fast and physical and was played primarily on special teams. Xaverian had a few man advantages, whereas Marshfield had a long 5-on-4 thanks to a five-minute major assessed to the Hawks. Neither team was able to break through, as senior goalie Kevin Richardi for Xaverian and junior goalie Brady Quackenbush for Marshfield were up to the task. The period would end 0-0.
Xaverian came out strong in the second period and its depth started to show. The home team would break through with 12:30 remaining in the frame. Senior forward Kevin Parrish grabbed the puck along the goal line and sent a bad-angle shot on the goalie. The puck bounced off the back of the netminder and into the net. Xaverian would keep the pressure on and strike again nine minutes later. After a turnover in the Marshfield end, the puck bounced onto the stick of senior forward Brock Casey who hammered a slap shot on net. The shot deflected off the skate of a Ram defender and past the goalie. The second period would end with the Hawks ahead 2-0.
Xaverian continued to sustain pressure in the third period and if it was not for the play of Quackenbush, the game would not have been as close. Marshfield was not able to pull the goalie and ultimately were unable to mount a charge at the end. Xaverian skated away with a wire-to-wire 2-0 victory and won the 2021 MHL Pat Serio Cup.
Three Stars:
- G Kevin Richardi, Xaverian
- F Kevin Parrish, Xaverian
- G Brady Quackenbush, Marshfield
