MIAA D2 State Tournament – Boys Hockey Semi-Final
#2 Xaverian vs #6 Arlington (Loring Arena)
Hawks survive in double overtime, 5-4
Framingham, MA- For the second night in a row, double overtime was needed in the MIAA tourney. This time Xaverian punched their ticket to the Division 1 Championship this Sunday against St John’s Prep. Another game that had it all, especially in the final three minutes of regulation.
Sophomore defenseman Cole Leblanc gave the Hawks an early lead just 15 seconds into the game. Junior Joe Dimartino doubled the score with his first of two on the night. Arlington’s Jack Sadowski converted on the power play to cut into the lead heading to the first intermission. Dimartino and the Hawks tilted the ice in the second period while adding a late goal and 3-1 lead after two.
The fireworks started in the third with under four to play. With Arlington goalie Jake Davies to the bench, junior Drew Fecteau cut the lead to two from his backside. Things became interesting. Ryan Gilbert’s seeing eye shot from the point found its way behind Hawks goalie Brendan Flanagan. The puck seemed to hit a few bodies, sticks and skates as Sadowski was awarded with his second of the game. Fecteau cashed in again just 40 seconds later to make it 4-4, capping off a three-goals in 1:43 stretch to send the game into overtime.
There were plenty of chances on both sides in the first overtime, but Flanagan and Davies stood tall. Second overtime went from 4v4 to to 3v3, with each team exchanging scoring chances early in the frame. With just over four to play, Jack Silva took a puck on the backcheck and started transition senior Braden O’Hara. He took the puck in his offensive zone, leading to a 2-on-1 with fellow senior Silva. O’Hara drew the Arlington defenseman to him, then slid the puck over to Silva who made no mistake into the open net and sent the Hawk faithful into a frenzy. Two great programs in front of a sold out Loring Arena provided an outstanding high school hockey game.
Final 2OT: Xaverian 5 Arlington 4
Three ⭐’s
⭐ F Jack Silva, Xaverian
⭐⭐ F Joe Dimartino, Xaverian
⭐⭐⭐ G Jake Davies, Arlington
