Canton, MA – MassNZ was in attendance at a packed Canton Ice House this afternoon to watch the Xaverian Hawks host the Belmont Marauders in a Round of 16 matchup in the MIAA Tournament. The winner would move on to the Elite 8 to travel and play 2nd seed Catholic Memorial (winners over St. Mary’s earlier in the day).
The atmosphere was electric in the sold-out rink and the game started quickly. On the opening shift, Belmont would strike first as senior sniper Cam Fici would take a puck behind the Xaverian net and slip it to the front where Adam Bauer one-timed it home: 1-0 Belmont. The lead was shortlived as just a few minutes later, Joe DiMartino would streak down the wing and snap a puck that beat the goalie short side. Before the end of the frame, Xaverian would take the lead for good as Jackson Morse slipped to the slot, received a pass and ripped the puck top corner. The teams would enter the locker room with the Hawks holding a 2-1 advantage.
The second period was up and down as Belmont tried to even the score. The Hawks would take a 3-1 lead as DiMartino scored his second of the day. He gained the edge on the outside, cut toward the net and snapped a puck high over the goalie’s glove. There was no additional scoring and the home team would take a 3-1 lead into the final period.
Belmont came out strong in the final frame and cut the lead to one at 3-2. Senior defender Joe Gaziano stole a puck in the offensive zone and slipped the puck past the Hawk goalie. This is as close as Belmont would get as senior Liam Capplis and fellow senior Tommy Dunn scored to put the game out of reach at 4-2. Belmont had a late 5-on-3 advantage (in addition to pulling their goalie) but the Xaverian defense held firm, highlighted by a few nice saves by Cole Pouliot-Porter.
Xaverian wins 5-2 and moves onto the Elite 8 to face Catholic Conference rival Catholic Memorial.
Three Stars:
- F Joe DiMartino, Xaverian
- F Liam Capplis, Xaverian
- F Jackson Morse, Xaverian
