MARLBORO, Mass. — The Boston Jr. Eagles took down the Central Mass. Penguins, 6-3, to win the 18U Massachusetts state title.
It was much closer than just a three-goal game. The game was locked in a 3-3 tie entering the final frame.
That tie was broken early in the third period when Connor Fryberger knocked in a pass from Will Cannata (Milton, Mass.), which ended up being the game-winning tally.
Shawn Leary (Dorchester, Mass.) got the Eagles some insurance on the power play late in the third period to make it 5-3. Moments later, Tyler Hamilton (Framingham, Mass.) added an empty-net goal to put the game away.
Hamilton opened the scoring, finishing off a nice chance right in front of the crease early in the first period. In the second period, Cannata extended the Jr. Eagles' lead to 2-0.
The Penguins came roaring back. First, it was Emerson Marshall responding with a tally of his own. Then it was Daniel Pasqua's shot ricocheting off an Eagles defender to tie the game, 2-2.
Jr. Eagles forward Jake McManus (Winthrop, Mass.) gave his team the lead once again, ripping a goal off the rush. But then, with just 2.3 seconds left in the second period, Penguins forward Bronson Hunt sniped a shot off a faceoff to tie the game, 3-3.
A story will come this week on 18U standouts from the tournament in general. For now, let's dive into five standouts from this game.
Sam Caulfield
Boston Jr. Eagles, 8/29/2006, G, catches left, 6-1/181
Hometown: Needham, Mass.Â
Despite giving up three goals, Caulfield made big saves when it mattered most. As the Penguins creeped back into the game in the second period, Caulfield robbed Penguins forward Max Dineen on a one-timer from the slot, going post to post. His athleticism and ability to never be out of a play was on display. A good final act before a big junior year at Milton Academy.
Will Cannata
Boston Jr. Eagles, 5/17/2005, F, left shot, 5-11/175
Hometown: Milton, Mass.Â
Cannata's fingerprints were all over this Jr. Eagles win. He scored on a nice bounce when he threw the puck in front of the net from the corner. But his pass to Fryberger on the eventual game-winning goal was all skill as he sifted the puck across perfectly. Fun fact: this is Cannata's fourth state championship. His Jr. Eagles team won it at the 14U level, 16U, 18U last year and then this year. There was no 15U state tournament due to COVID-19. The same is true for many of his teammates.
Bronson Hunt
Central Mass. Penguins, 3/26/2005, F, left shot, 5-9/165
Hometown: Long Beach, N.Y.Â
It was another strong weekend for Hunt (which will be touched on in the other story), but he brought it in the championship game. The goal off the faceoff as time expired at the end of the second period stunned the entire rink. His hands and shiftiness were great, which helped him get to better ice all game.
Shawn Leary
Boston Jr. Eagles, 5/12/2005, D, right shot, 6-0/194
Hometown: Dorchester, Mass.Â
Whenever he has the puck in the offensive zone, Leary always seems to have scoring a goal on the mind. He did that in Sunday's championships (as well as the semifinal earlier in the day). He has a good shot and got it through the screen in front and into the back of the net. He's always playing on the edge, and that was evident again against the Penguins.
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Emerson Marshall
Central Mass. Penguins, 10/8/2005, F, left shot, 5-10/175
Hometown: Gloucester, Mass.Â
When the Penguins were down 2-0 and needed a goal, there was Marshall. The Gloucester, Mass., native took a smart route to the net, which is where defender Ryland Randle found him for the goal. He has very good hands and always seemed to be driving play into the offensive zone. Cushing will be a team full of new players, so Marshall, who had 30 points in 27 games last season for the Penguins, will be heavily relied upon by head coach Paul Pearl.
