The #13 seed BC High Eagles took on the top seed St. John’s Prep at Tsongas Arena at UMass-Lowell on the Ides of March. The winner would move on to the DI Final Sunday at the Boston garden. Senior Jack Burke started in the net for the BCH. Peyton Palladino took his place between the pipes for SJP.
The first period featured no penalties and no goals. Both teams had decent chances but both goalies were sharp. Burke made a few glove saves and a dandy on a deflected St. John’s shot. Palladino made a tough save on a backhand off the edge by BC High’s Jackie Murphy. Christian Rosa hit the crossbar late in the period. SJP outshot BCH 10-6 in the frame.
BC High came out of the locker room and pushed the pace for the start of the second period. They has sustained pressure in the zone and transitioned quickly. They broke through 5:13 into the period when junior Luke O’Sullivan popped home a rebound after a tough rush off the edge by classmate Frank Shediac. Michael Mann started the play and it was 1-0 BC High. That held as both teams played smart, defensive hockey with few mistakes. Shots were 5-4 for BC High and still no penalties had been called.
The third period saw BC High with an early power play chance. St. John’s Prep battled and killed off the penalty. The game stayed tight and the shots were 7-5 BC High with 1:06 left. St. John’s Prep called a timeout and pulled Palladino for the extra attacker. The puck popped to RD Aiden Holland at the point. He fired a shot through a lot of traffic and into the BC High goal and the game was tied. Will Van Sicklin and Tommy Sarni picked up assists. The game went to overtime.
In MIAA hockey they play eight minutes of 4v4 overtime. If no one scores, they go to 3v3 overtime for eight minutes and then finally a shootout. In the first overtime period, SJP outshot BCH 6-2. BC High hit a crossbar and St. John’s Prep was stopped on a penalty shot. No goals wer3 scored and on to the second OT the teams went; 3v3. St. John’s Prep struck early on the as Sarni intercepted a puck below the BC High goal line. He quickly spotted an open Christian Rosa who popped the puck home for the game winner. St. John’s Prep will play Xaverian for the DI State Title on Sunday at the Boston Garden.
Three Stars
First: Tommy Sarni (SJP)
Second: Jack Burke (BCH)
Third: Christian Rosa (SJP)
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
