ASHBURNHAM, Mass. — Cushing’s first line was the difference as the Penguins defeated Brunswick, 2-1, in Saturday’s Elite 8 semifinal at Iorio Arena.
Boston College commit Landan Resendes (Marlboro, Mass.) laid a big hit and scored a goal on the game’s first shift to give the Penguins the early 1-0 lead. He finished off a nice transitional play. Defenseman Zach Rizzo made the initial breakout to center Jack Costanzo (Gloucester, Mass.). From there, Costanzo made a great hockey play to bump an area pass off the wall to Resendes, who went in for the nifty finish.
Brunswick tied it on a pretty passing sequence later in the first period. Skating down the slot, Sean Gibbons (Fairfield, Conn.) scored off a great pass from James Shannon (Greenwich, Conn.) at the half wall.
The play that was the difference in the game occurred midway through the second period.
Brunswick turned the puck over in the neutral zone on a breakout attempt. Ethan Gardula (Princeton, Mass.) forced the turnover, skated into the attacking zone and gave a perfect centering feed to Costanzo for a redirect goal.
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Cushing senior goaltender Cooper Rautenstrauch shut the door from there and ensured the Penguins of a trip to the final on Sunday against Avon Old Farms.
Here were the top three standout players in the game.
Landan Resendes
Cushing, 12/10/05, RW, right shot, 5-10/165
NCAA: Boston College
As he has in just about every Cushing game this season, Resendes dominated and was the best player on the ice. He’s not the biggest player, but he has swagger and plays with intensity. He stood his ground and knocked an opposing player to the ground before scoring on the game’s first shift. He made a ton of plays, generated his own chances, and can do it with pace.
Jack Costanzo
Cushing, 12/9/03, C, left shot, 5-8/170
Costanzo had himself a game with two points. His area pass to Resendes on the first goal was a thing of beauty. His game-winning tally was good for multiple reasons. It showed a good stick, but I liked that he had the habit to drive the middle lane. He was buzzing today and had some flashes throughout the game where he showed off his skating and stick.
ELSEWHERE: How Avon Old Farms earned a spot in the Elite 8 championship
Sean Gibbons
Brunswick, 8/21/05, RW, right shot, 5-9/165
Gibbons finishes the playoffs with three goals in two games. He’s skilled and plays in the middle. His goal was a nice shot, but he made a good pass earlier in the same shift. He was the best uncommitted player on the Brunswick team.
Cushing lines
Gardula - Costanzo - Resendes
Marshall - Markevych - Dedinas
Sacco - Favreau - Quinn
Bennett - Agnew - Wallace
Philbrick - Rizzo
Maldonado - Ross
Russo - Marcoux
Rautenstrauch
Brunswick lines
DellaSalla - Friedman - Drury
Giles - Shannon - Gibbons
T. Spiess - Minella - Wachtel
Farmer - Cadoret
C. Grimes - Cleaves
Hall - Eschricht
Holahan
