ATTLEBORO, Mass. — The Yale Junior Bulldogs won the Beast Series Playoffs at the 18U Division in thrilling fashion Sunday afternoon at the New England Sports Village.
In the final, the Junior Bulldogs and Long Island Gulls couldn’t score a goal in regulation play. That set the scene for three-on-three overtime. After a Gulls player took a penalty, the Junior Bulldogs went up four-on-three. From there, Gio DiGiulian took over.
He brought the puck out from the left wing corner and snuck one past Gulls goaltender Aiden Wright. Recent Yale commit Rudy Guimond picked up the shutout victory in net for the Junior Bulldogs. Steve Novodor, Jon Bellonio and Shawn Conner’s team was able to win without its top player, Northeastern recruit Joe Connor, who has been out with an injury.
Below is a look at my unofficial all-tournament team from the 18U division at the Beast Series Playoffs:
Gio DGiuilian
Junior Bulldogs/Kent, 9/25/05, C, right shot, 6-1/160
DiGiulian scored the overtime game-winning goal in the final. He’s big, strong and plays a complete, 200-foot game. The South Burlington, Vt., native projects as a third-line or fourth-line center in college, depending on which program.
Lefty Markonidis
Buffalo Regals/Frederick Gunn, 4/29/05, LW, left shot, 5-10/150
Markonidis had a huge day Sunday in a consolation game at New England Sports Village. He’s a speedy, skilled winger, who has gotten much better over the past year. From Hudson, Mass., he’s transferring from BB&N to Frederick Gunn, where he’ll play for Craig Badger.
Wade Volo
Junior Bulldogs/Westminster, 1/24/04, RW, right shot, 5-8/140
Volo, from North Conway, N.H., is entering his second and final season at Westminster, playing for Tim Joncas. He’s on the smaller side but quick, crafty and productive. When he had the puck this past weekend, it was easy to get up on the edge of your seat. Volo, an Eaglebrook alum, should be one of the most coveted seniors in prep hockey, in terms of NESCAC recruiting.
Hudson Miller
Junior Bulldogs/Avon Old Farms, 7/14/05, D, right shot, 6-1/170 NCAA: Yale
Miller logs a ton of minutes for the Junior Bulldogs. He was on the ice during most of the overtime, including when the game-winner was scored on the power play. Miller has good size and has gotten better over the past couple of years.
Odin Ford
Long Island Gulls, 7/8/04, D, right shot, 6-2/175
Ford is a strong, two-way defenseman at this level, who projects as a five/six, minutes-eater in college, likely in Atlantic Hockey as a 21-year-old freshman. He was noticeable a lot during the final against the Junior Bulldogs.
Rudy Guimond
Junior Bulldogs/Taft, 5/19/05, G, catches left, 6-2/175 NCAA: Yale
Guimond, from Pointe-Claire, Quebec, held the Gulls scoreless in Sunday afternoon’s final. He’s got good size and was on top of his game versus a top full-season midget major team. Guimond does a good job squaring up to shooters and keeping quiet in net. He’s a top goaltender playing in New England. When nitpicking his game, the one aspect he’ll need to improve is his rebound control.
