MARLBORO, Mass. — The Neponset Valley River Rats set the tone less than 30 seconds into Sunday's state final when forward Stevie Rousell (Norwood, Mass.) tipped a point shot from Matthew Piotrowski into the net for the game's opening goal.
It wasn't pretty, but it got the job done.
That was the story for the River Rats on Sunday, as they upset the No. 1 seed Boston Jr. Eagles, 3-1, to win the Massachusetts state title.
After a first period that featured a ton of zone time for the Jr. Eagles and brilliant net-front defense and goaltending by the eventual state champs, River Rats forward Michael Federico (Hanover, Mass.) scored on a terrific play by Alexandre Theodore to get him the puck (more on that later).