BROOKLINE, Mass. — Dexter Southfield opened this season with big expectations and passed its first test.
Dexter took down Cushing, 5-2, on Wednesday night to open its season. Both teams ranked inside our preseason top five, making this one of the premier matchups of the opening slate of games.
The scoring started just under six minutes into the game when Dexter senior forward Nate Porter (Hingham, Mass.) found senior forward Sean Leetch (Boston, Mass.) by the net on the power play. Leetch converted on the chance, making it 1-0 Dexter.
Less than one minute into the second period, Porter got a breakaway off a pass from junior forward Rian Chudzinski (Needham, Mass.) and finished past Cushing goalie Maksim Corovic, extending the lead to 2-0. Dexter junior forward Nick D'Olympio (Rockland, Mass.) potted his first prep goal shortly after, giving Dexter a 3-0 lead.
Cushing got on the board before the second period was over. Senior forward Eric Lund (Bridgewater, Mass.) ripped a one-timer past Dexter goalie Colin Davis (Canton, Mass.).
Leetch tallied his second of the night early in the third period on the power play before Cushing senior defenseman Ryland Randle tipped a shot from sophomore forward Joseph Covelluzzi (Wakefield, Mass.), cutting the lead to 4-2.
Any chance at a Cushing comeback was thwarted when Chudzinski potted an empty-net goal with just over two minutes to play.
The Dexter-Cushing matchup is always one of the most anticipated showdowns in the early part of the season so there was quite a bit to take away.
1. Dexter's top line was lethal
Dexter's top nine is scary enough, but that first trio of Chudzinski, Porter and Leech was a nightmare for Cushing. Porter finished the game with one goal and four points, while Chudzinski had a goal and three points and Leetch tallied two goals.
That line had its way. They hemmed the Penguins in their own zone for extended stretches and worked really well below the goal line. All three are creative puck-movers and made smart decisions away from the puck to get open, which spelled even more trouble.
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The addition of Chudzinski to that lineup is huge. He hit the post off the rush early in the third period and his ability to come off the half-wall, still have possession of the puck and create space for himself is elite. Playing with Porter and Leech is only going to aid in his production.
And then all three were on the top power play unit with Porter at the point and sophomore Noah Survilas (Winthrop, Mass.) filling in on the wing. Porter and Leetch's chemistry was evident on the first goal when Porter hit Leetch with a pass across the offensive zone.
Head coach Danny Donato's team should get offense from everywhere, but that top line will be the ultimate spark.
2. Don't sleep on the rest of Dexter's forwards
It's only been one game, but it feels like Donato may have already found the perfect combinations offensively. Survilas, junior Jake Assad (Franklin, Mass.) and junior Joe Marchi (Foxboro, Mass.) brought a high pace and skill on the second line. They were successfully able to create offense off the rush and through the cycle game.
Then there was the line of senior Tyler Hamilton (Framingham, Mass.) centering sophomore Owen McHale (Charlestown, Mass.) and junior Nick D'Olympio (Rockland, Mass.). Hamilton drove that line and McHale and D'Olympio were great in support.
D'Olympio had an outstanding prep debut, netting a goal after a long offensive zone sequence by his line. In the third period, he drew a penalty going hard to the net and later laid out a Cushing player in open ice.
Given its top nine, Dexter projects to be able to outscore anyone in prep.
3. What's up with Cushing?
A lot will be made of the Penguins' first two games. This and a 4-1 loss to Phillips Andover on Nov. 20 don't look great. It's clear the offense is struggling. Dexter did a good job at keeping Cushing forwards to the outside and limiting their high-danger chances. It never felt like the Penguins got much of anything going offensively.
Still, there's reason for hope.
For starters, this team was never billed as having a high-flying offense. Emerson Marshall (Gloucester, Mass.), Bronson and Tanner Hunt, AJ Sacco (Middleton, Mass.), Luke Goukler and Kole Hyles (Newfields, N.H.) are all gone.
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Their replacements are younger or have been in Cushing's system for a while. Covelluzzi, an '09, notched two assists on Wednesday. Fellow '09 Chase Warsofsky (Northboro, Mass.) put together a strong game. Senior Max Dineen (Brentwood, N.H.) was noticeable in creating offense. It will take time.
"It's really not about trying to match up or be what Cushing has been throughout all the years or what we're going to be in the future," Cushing head coach Ryan Bourque said in his team's season preview. "It's the learning experience, the habits and the winning hockey habits that drive a winning hockey team. I think the only way to achieve that is to focus on the day-to-day."
These losses are learning experiences. And those winning habits often come from losing and figuring out how not to lose. Through two games, the Penguins feel like a team that will struggle a bit through the first month, but begin to find their offense somewhere around mid- to late-January.
4. In the meantime, Ryland Randle and Tommy Bleyl will make Cushing's offense go
It wasn't much of a surprise to see Randle, an Arizona State commit, and Bleyl, a Michigan State commit, jumpstarting and often joining the rush.
Randle scored when he tipped a one-timer from the point. Yes, Randle was the one in front of the net because he had been working down low. He consistently rushed the puck and joined the rush to provide another passing option for his forwards.
He played most of his shifts with Bleyl, who also helped his team get up ice. He made smart, simple passes in transition and used a high IQ to identify when to join the rush and go low in the offensive zone. He registered an assist on Lund's power play goal on a nice pass from the top of the zone.
5. Dexter's batch of uncommitted players had a strong first showing
The big theme of this year's Dexter squad is the large number of intriguing uncommitted players on the roster.
Porter kicking his season off with a four-point night was the biggest and most dynamic start. That's a massive confidence boost for someone whose confidence was shot this time last season. If this keeps up, Porter should have more and more Division 1 interest.
Leetch's two goals were a big positive, too. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound forward is uncommitted and had 34 points last season. I'd be interested to see what kind of college and junior interest he gets throughout this season as a true all-situations player. Another all-situations, uncommitted player I'd put in that camp is Hamilton.
Survilas will be highly sought after next summer when he becomes eligible to commit on Aug. 1. So, too, will sophomore defenseman Myles Brosnan (Winchester, Mass.), who was dynamic on Wednesday. He was active at the point at 5v5 and when quarterbacking the power play. His shots got through and he made intelligent passes. He's someone local Division 1 programs should absolutely have on their radars this season.
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Marchi has great hands and such a good, quick shot. He's smart and, while playing with Survilas and Assad, should put up a lot of points. He's someone else Division 1 schools should be watching this winter.
Leftover thoughts...
- Neither goalie had their best game. Davis was a bit shaky to start but settled in nicely with 26 saves on 28 shots. I also haven't seen a goalie play pucks behind their own net as much as Davis since Frederick Gunn's Mitchell McCusker last season. It worked out, as the former Canton High standout was able to settle pucks down for his defenseman. Corovic made 21 saves, with a handful coming in tight. He will be vital to Cushing's success in the early going as the Penguins figure themselves out offensively.
- A nice surprise was Dexter senior defenseman Collin Rowe. He was patient with pucks, especially deep in his own zone on breakouts. At the offensive blue line, he facilitated play. The '07 showed himself to be a reliable puck-mover. It will be interesting to see how he progresses with heavy usage.
