DEDHAM, Mass. — It’s how you finish, not how you start. That was particularly true for Brunswick on Wednesday in the NEPSAC Elite 8 quarterfinals.
The Bruins went down 2-0 to Nobles but scored three straight power-play goals en route to a 3-2 overtime victory. With the win, Brunswick will face top-seeded Cushing on Saturday in one of two semifinals.
Dennis Davidson and Will Brophy each scored in the first and second periods, respectively, to give the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead heading into the third period.
Sean Gibbons cut the lead in half just over two minutes into the third period. He blasted home a one-timer from Harvard commit Drew DellaSalla.
Brunswick was awarded another power play with about three minutes to go in regulation. After a near-miss, DellaSalla won a neutral zone draw back to defenseman Cooper Cleaves. The Dartmouth commit chipped a puck off the wall to himself and lifted a wrist shot past the blocker of Nobles star goaltender Thatcher Bernstein.
Nobles took another penalty as regulation was winding down.
Brunswick made them pay on the first shift of overtime. DellaSalla skated down the left wing, looked off a defender with patience and gave a perfect feed to Gibbons, who buried it.
SCORES/BRACKET:Â Updates from NEPSAC Elite 8 tournament
Let's take a look at the standouts from Wednesday's thriller.
Drew DellaSalla
Brunswick, 5/8/06, LW, left shot, 6-0/165
NCAA: Harvard
DellaSalla was somewhat quiet for the first two periods, but he came alive when it mattered most. He’s a dynamic playmaker. When the puck is on his stick, good things happen. His pass on the game-winner was an elite play. His skating, vision and stick make him one of the top 2024 NHL Draft prospects in the region.
Thatcher Bernstein
Nobles, 7/17/06, G, catches left, 6-3/200
This was one of my best viewings of Bernstein. He played as well as he could, holding his team in the game as long as he could. He was square to shooters, ate pucks, and didn’t allow second chances. He once again proved he’s the top goaltending prospect among New Englanders in prep hockey.
https://twitter.com/WickPuck/status/1631105128651431937?s=20
Sean Gibbons
Brunswick, 8/21/05, RW, right shot, 5-9/165
Gibbons is a little undersized, but he’s skilled and found the back of the net twice. His one-timer was obviously key as it got his team on the board. The game-winner was slick as he pulled the puck around a Nobles defender before lifting it easily into the back of the net.
Cooper Cleaves
Brunswick, 1/5/06, D, right shot, 6-3/185
NCAA: Dartmouth
Cleaves is a tall, lanky defender with reach and a better skill set than given credit for at times. His goal showed off skill and creativity. He’s a little bit of a late bloomer who should keep getting better before he matriculates to Dartmouth.
ELITE 8 RECAPS: Cushing-Kimball Union | Avon Old Farms-Westminster | Belmont Hill-Milton
Dennis Davidson
Nobles, 5/15/06, RW, right shot, 5-9/155
Davidson had a goal and an assist and was around the puck a lot. Playing right wing on the top line, he skates well and makes plays. He’s one of a few young forwards on this Nobles team that will be back next year and have the Bulldogs back in the mix.
Brunswick lines
DellaSalla - Friedman - Giles
Minella - Shannon - Gibbons
T. Spiess - Drury - Wachtel
Farmer - Cadoret
Cleaves - Grimes
L. Hall - Eschricht
Lampert - C. Hall
Holahan
Nobles lines
O’Leary - Tasca - Davidson
Cox - Nakata - T. MacAusland
McCarthy - B. MacAusland - Kearns
Duffy - Grant
Brophy - Gilbane
Bernstein
