Nobles 6 Rivers 3
Weston, MA-In a primetime matchup between two programs that are very familiar with each other, it was #6 Nobles that proved to be too much for the Rivers School. Nobles Senior forward Jack Cronin stole the show as he showed why he is in one of the high-profile prep players this season notching a career high five goals.
Rivers got the evening started as highly touted forward Phil Tresca buried a net front goal after a rebound chance after a big time shot from defensemen Pat Lawn from the point. The Nobles powerplay was clicking on all cylinders tonight and the headache started very early for the Rivers School as Jack Cronin notch his first of the night off a turnover by a Rivers defenseman on a failed clearing attempt, to tie the game at 1 a-piece. After back and forth action Rivers regained the lead with an absolute rocket of a shot by forward Zachary Gruber who beat Nobles goaltender Marc Smith far side high.
The start of the second period you can feel the momentum switch to Nobles as Rivers were just trying to hang on. Jack Cronin began his take over the game on the powerplay where he notched his second goal with a beautiful shot that he blasted past Rivers goaltender Conor Sullivan. As the period progressed both teams had equal opportunities to pull ahead but again it was Jack Cronin who had a tremendous poke check on a Rivers’s defenseman off the forecheck, Cronin took the puck and went short side high with a beautiful shot. Rivers responded with a power play goal themselves as they were able to win a faceoff cleanly in the offensive zone. Defensemen Sam Amato was able to gather the faceoff win, take a shot from the point, the shot was tipped in the net front by Matt Cormier which redirected the shot high past the Nobles goaltender.
The third and final frame enter deadlocked at three until another Nobles Powerplay goal by Jack Cronin who took another pass and one timed it to the back of the net. Seconds later Cronin created a turnover after the center ice faceoff, came down the strong side wing and used his deadly release to beat Sullivan far side again. After extending the lead to two, Nobles put down the defensive clamps as it appeared Rivers ran out of steam. Casey Severo was able to extend the lead to 6-3 halfway through the period, the score would stand as the final.
Three Stars
First: Jack Cronin (Nobles)
Second: Philip Tresca (Rivers)
Third: Colby Bailey (Nobles)
NZ Notes: Rivers is a young team that is learning how to compete and will be a tough out as the season enters February. They compete every shift and have dynamic playmakers that can score on command. They are capable of beating any team on any given night. Nobles, Jack Cronin wow: what a performance. Nobles needs to find consistency as they have moments where they look like they are panic mode. They have strong goaltending, a strong defensive core and can score with the best of them. However, after several views this season all three phases are yet to click on all cylinders. Still lots of upside with this team.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
