Dexter has its way with the Penguins

Dexter School 10 at Cushing Academy 2; December 4, 2019

Ashburnham, MA: Dexter travelled to Cushing Academy, scored eight unanswered goals and grabbed a blowout win over the Penguins tonight 10-2. 2004 Dylan Silverstein earned the win in net as he stayed alert and made some big stops despite Dexter controlling play the last 2/3 of the game. Dexter outshot Cushing 34-21.

The first period featured four goals and good chances at both ends. Just 3:58 in, 2003 Culin Wilson opened the scoring as he wove off the wall to the slot and snapped a high one home. The Penguins responded on a 2 on 1 with space as junior Cam Lund waited and fired a perfect pass to classmate Nick Rheaume who went forehand to backend for the finish. Dexter took the lead back with 6:32 left as Wilson manipulated a gap in transition and fired a pass, cross-zone on the tape for a tape for Colgate commit Ben Raymond. Cushing was able to put one home with just 24 seconds left as senior U-Maine commit Max Bogdanovich stopped on the goal line and stayed with a pass from junior and Army commit, Jake Hewitt. The first period ended 2-2.

The second period, Dexter would take control of the game as their pace of play wore Cushing down. Dexter scored four unanswered. Senior John McElaney started the scoring parade as he made a quick turn and bury as he was alone in front 7:28 into the period. Next, things happened quickly as senior Aidan Connolly (Sacred Heart) buried a rebound of Harvard commit John Fusco’s shot off the post. Matt Fusco assisted as well. Under a minute later with 2:36 left, 2004 Bobby Landry finished off a pretty pass on a 2 on 1 from fellow 2004 Connor Sutherland to make it 5-2. Culin Wilson added another with 1:41 left as he found a loose puck and buried after a Ben Raymond rush created chaos in the zone. The last three goals of the second were scored in one minute and thirteen seconds. Second ended with Dexter up 6-2 and the Penguins reeling.

The bleeding didn’t stop in the third as Dexter never stopped putting the pressure on Cushing. Big 2003 Vincent Gould buried one, five-hole on a forced turnover and pass from McElaney. Jack Dempsey buried a rebound (intentionally created) by Jake Mullahy and anothr assist to U-Mass commit Mike Adamson. Connolly stuck again with 1:24 left, assists to Doug Grimes and Donovan O’Neil. Fifteen seconds later, Connor Blanchard scored the tenth goal from Gould and Matt Copponi. Final score 10-2.

Three Stars:

First Star: Culin Wilson (Dexter)

Second Star: Ben Raymond (Dexter)

Third Star: John McElaney (Dexter)

NZ Notes: For Cushing; they have a solid group and this one just got out of hand. There were some bright spots. Nick Rheaume played tough, has reach and a little wiggle; Cam Lund made an impact as a 2004. He assisted on a nice play that took poise and skill at full speed; Max Bogdanovich stopped on pucks and was tough to handle when he had possession; Jake Hewit has a quick stick and made a nice play on their second goal;  Lukas Gustafsson, a BC commit. Is talented and smooth with the puck; Jackson Dorrington showed well again at times and has some skill and length a 2004; For Dexter; they are fast and skilled. They broke the puck out with ease they have a talented group but also a plan. They go quick up ice if it’s there, use all their options and will regroup, delay and hit the stretch up ice. They outnumbered Cushing at the puck all game. They are relentless and swarm to pucks. Culin Wilson has improved and the game has slown down for him. He changed pace and allowed plays to develop. He can score and his stick is lethal. Clear D1 prospect. Dylan Silverstein looked calm in the net for a 2004. He was challenged with some quality chances and got better as the game went on. He is athletic with some size. Jack Hughes and former Cushing Penguin Brendan O’Donnell are both seniors and tough as well as strong. They made and took hits and cleared the front of the net. Ben Raymond keeps getting better and now has no issue making plays at top speed. He is really fast. Sutherland and Landry are interesting 2004s. John McElaney is a hockey player and just makes plays. Tough and on the puck all game. Dexter has a chance to be elite this year. They have stars and some gritty players. Youth and experience. Interesting team to say the least.

Box Score

Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images