Canton, MA – Neutral Zone was in attendance at the Canton Ice House to watch the host #3 seeded Hingham Harbormen play the #19 seeded Franklin Panthers. The game was played in front of a capacity crowd and was a great high school hockey atmosphere. Luke Merian started in net for the home team, while Cole Pouliot-Porter started for the visitors. The game started fast with each team generating some chances right off the drop of the puck.
Hingham would strike first. The puck would make its way to Charlie Even at the point. He would wire the puck to the net, where Alex Barzowskas tipped the puck past the goalie from the top of the crease. The game looked to be headed to the break 1-0 when Hingham would double the lead in the last 10 seconds of the period. Aidan Brazel would grab the puck inside the blue line, walk around a defender to the outside and cut across the crease before slipping the puck past the goalie. The Harbormen took a 2-0 lead into the locker room.
The second period started the same way the first did. Both teams generated chances and played a physical style of hockey. About halfway through the period, Brazel would take the puck through the neutral zone and use his size and reach to drive wide to the net. The initial chance was saved, but Sean Garrity was there to bang home the rebound for a commanding 3-0 lead. The Panthers would not go away without a fight, however. Ben Paterson would slip a nice pass from behind the net to Dominic Lampasona who chipped the puck short-side past the Hingham goalie to cut the lead to 3-1. This is where the game would stand entering the second intermission.
The Panthers would come out strong in the third and generated several chances that Merian made solid saves on. The Harbormen would put the game away when Colby commit Bobby Falvey would put the puck on net from the point. The initial shot was saved, but junior forward Bill Jacobus would grab the rebound and flip the puck into the net. The game would end with the home team winning 4-1.
Hingham advances to play Arlington in the Elite 8 on March 12 at 5pm at Gallo Arena.
Three Stars
- F Aidan Brazel, Hingham
- D Bobby Falvey, Hingham
- F Dylan Marchand, Franklin
