Duxbury Knocks Off Masconomet 3-2 in OT in D2 Quarterfinal

North Billerica, MA– We were able to watch tonight’s game from Chelmsford Forum via MyHockeyLive for a quarterfinal matchup in the MIAA D2 Tournament between the number 4 seed Masconomet Chieftains and the number 5 seed Duxbury Dragons. Both teams enter this game coming off 5-1 wins in their respective Round of 16 games now would be time to see who would move on and punch a ticket to the D2 Final Four.

We would get underway here with good energy from both sides, early chances coming and some big hits from Masconomet to get this period started. The Chieftains would take control in the first half of the period with some good looks around the offensive zone, focusing on getting everything to the net early in the first. They would keep their foot on the gas and open the games scoring by a great snapshot in the slot by junior forward Richard Guarino to put Masconomet up 1-0 with five minutes to go in the period. Duxbury would have a great response the very next shift by coming down and hitting the post from a shot on the side wall but luckily for Masconomet it stayed out to keep this game at 1-0. Duxbury would control the remaining minutes in the first with good scoring chances all over the Masconomet end but the period would end 1-0 heading into the second. Unofficial NZ shot total: 11-8 Masconomet.

The second period would bring us much of what we saw in the opening minutes in the first, up and down action with each side getting chances on net to get this period started. Duxbury would continue to tilt the ice in their favor early in the period and get the bounce they needed to even this game up with a goal from senior forward Brady Glass. He would collect a turnover from behind the net and tuck a wraparound home to beat the goalie getting to the post to tie this game up 1-1 with eight minutes to go in the second. The game would be back and forth with a couple of minutes remaining in the period, each side finding it increasingly harder to get into the offensive zone for someone to take the lead. Masconomet would rally a late push but Duxbury would clear anything around their net to go into the third all tied up at 1-1. Unofficial NZ shot total through two: 20-14 Masconomet.

The third period started off with Duxbury coming out and taking the lead on the first shift with a great pass coming from Brady Glass who would find junior forward Aiden Harrington in the slot to beat the goalie five hole and put Duxbury up 2-1. Masconomet would respond with some pressure down in the Duxbury end but junior goalie Sam Mazanec would come up with a couple of great saves to keep the score 2-1 with eight minutes to go. Masconomet would be all over Duxbury in the final minutes looking to tie this game up. Duxbury’s Mazanec would make two unbelievable saves to keep the lead but Masconomet would win the next draw and senior defenseman Matt McMillan would snipe one top shelf over the glove side from the circle to tie this game up with under a minute left to play to make it 2-2 and force overtime to decide this Quarterfinal matchup.

Overtime would have a quick start with all the energy on the Masconomet side as they would get three great chances to start but Duxbury would escape any danger with six minutes left in the overtime period. Duxbury would answer shortly after and get a great rush from junior defenseman Brendan Bonner down the side of the board and dish it to Harrington back door to punch it in to lift Duxbury over Masconomet 3-2 in overtime.

The Dragons now advance to take on top-seeded Tewksbury in the Semifinal round for the chance to play for a State title at the TD Garden.

Three Stars:

  1. F Aiden Harrington, Duxbury 
  2. F Brady Glass, Duxbury
  3. D Matt McMillan, Masconomet