FOXBORO, Mass. — Wednesday night was the fifth week of the Foxboro Prep League at Foxboro Sports Center. The league will be held every Wednesday until Aug. 22.
There were lots of players missing from the first two games. Team Cox faced off with Team Walsh and lent players (and even a goalie) to even the teams. A fair number were missing from Team Holske's matchup with Team Moran, too.
But the final matchup, which took place between Team Omicioli and Team Donatelli, was a good one, with Team Omicioli winning, 5-4, on a goal with 20 seconds left.
It was definitely July hockey. Still, here are six uncommitted standouts from the games.
Ben Berien
Team Omicioli/Marshfield High
Hometown: Marshfield, Mass.Â
For those who have read me for awhile, you know that I love when MIAA players show well. Berien, who plays for Marshfield High, was a substitute on Wednesday night and owned it. First, he scored a nice goal off the rush, beating the goaltender clean from the faceoff dot. Then, with 20 seconds left, Team Donatelli tried to clear the puck from its own zone, but Berien gloved it down, put it on the ice and sniped a shot over the netminder's glove for the game winner.
Thomas Broderick
Team Moran/Dexter Southfield, 1/21/2008, D, left shot, 5-10/180
Hometown: Norwood, Mass.Â
Broderick loves to skate the puck and that was on display Wednesday night. He had a nice rush in his team's game against Team Holske by gaining the offensive blue line, drawing defenders to him and sifting a pass to a teammate on his right for a scoring chance. He also showcased a nice stick when defending the rush and the front of his own net.
Nico Bromley
Team Omicioli/Mount St. Charles, 6/21/2007, F, right shot, 6-0/168
Hometown: Manchester, Conn.Â
Bromley notched a really nice goal at the end of the first half. After a nice rush from Gavin Callahan, Bromley got a pass and picked the top corner for a goal from the high slot. Bromley was patient with the puck and was able to drive play. He also read opposing passes well in the neutral zone, reloading after leaving the offensive zone.
Gavin Callahan
Team Omicioli/Mount St. Charles, 4/12/2008, D, left shot, 6-1/174
Hometown: Lexington, Mass.Â
I continue to be throughly impressed with Callahan's game. Late in the first half, the Mount St. Charles product drew a penalty off an end-to-end rush. On the ensuing power play, he rushed it through the neutral zone, sifting through defenders and finding Bromley in front of the net for a snipe. In his own end, Callahan never seemed phased with the puck on his stick and forecheckers on him.
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Sean Farrell
Team Omicioli/Pomfret, 8/7/2007, D, left shot, 6-2/190
Hometown: Burrillville, R.I.Â
Farrell had a really nice goal on Wednesday night. The Pomfret product grabbed the puck in center ice, entered the offensive zone and fired a laser into the back of the net. He also wasn't shy about rushing the puck and keeping his head up. Farrell has intriguing size and will be an interesting prospect to watch in prep this winter.
Trevor Pellecchia
Team Walsh/Winchendon, 2/23/2007, F, right shot, 5-11/154
Hometown: Leominster, Mass.Â
Pellecchia played in a glorified men's league game with so many players missing. Still, Pellecchia played with high compete and was able to drive play. He showcased good hands and an ability to get to space despite pressure on him.
