BOSTON – A Sandwich victory looked like a longshot for most of the first two periods. The Blue Knights trailed twice and were outshot significantly, but the team from the other side of the canal prevailed in the end.
For a second straight game sophomore left wing Jack Connolly scored the game-winning goal for Sandwich in double overtime. After nearly setting up a goal earlier in the shift, Connolly came out of the left wing corner, waited until the right moment, and fired a wrist shot into the upper part of the net.
A wild celebration ensued as Sandwich won its first state championship since 2008. The Blue Knights downed top-seeded Norwell in Tuesday’s semifinal before Sunday’s triumph over the second seed from Watertown.
Sophomore Colin McIver and senior Caleb Richardson scored in regulation while junior goaltender Mitchell Norkevicius held down the fort in net at the other end. The Blue Knights, coached by Jordan Mohre, finish their state championship campaign with a 18-4-3 record.
Watertown’s phenomenal run to the state championship game ends with a record of 14-11-1. Mason Andrade and Colin Campbell were the goal scorers for John Vlachos’ Raiders.Â
Scoring summary
WHS 1-0: Andrade gave the Raiders the first lead of the game in the first period with a power play tally. Camped out front, he banged home a loose puck off a rebound of a shot from Anthony Venezia.
SHS 1-1: The Blue Knights answered with eight seconds to go in the opening period. McIver bolted down the left wing and fired a wrist shot that beat Watertown goaltender Jared Norton on his blocker side.
WHS 2-1: On a clear breakaway, Campbell regained the edge for Watertown. He made a deke before sliding a forehand shot past Norkevicius.
SHS 2-2: Richardson tied the game later in the period while skating on the power play. He moved left to right across the slot before firing a wrist shot into the top shelf. Chris Cardillo picked up the assist.
SHS 3-2: After a scoreless third period and first overtime, Sandwich came up with the game winner. Playing three-on-three, per MIAA rules for second overtimes, Connolly finished off a great shift with a goal. He nearly set up a goal on a pretty pass to Richardson, but that ended up for naught. He regained the puck in the corner, skated into the slot, and fired the state title clinching shot into the back of the net.
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Three prospects
Alec Banosian
Watertown, 1/1/06, C, left shot, 5-9/140
Banosian didn’t find the score sheet today after recording three points in his team’s semifinal victory over Stoneham. Nonetheless, Banosian had himself a solid game. He possessed the puck a lot and used his agility and stickhandling to protect pucks in high traffic areas. He sees the ice well for this level. He and his right wing, senior Anthony Venezia, were a good duo throughout the final two games of the season.
Colin McIver
Sandwich, 1/7/05, C, left shot, 5-8/140
McIver was Sandwich’s best player for most of the game. He created offense on the rush, including his late first period tally. In the second period, his speed through the neutral zone drew a power play that his team would go on to score on to tie the game at two.
Mitchell Norkevicius
Sandwich, 5/5/05, G, catches left, 6-0/160
Norkevicius made 31 saves, per the count on the scoreboard. He certainly faced a barrage of shots through the first two periods and kept his team in the game. In the end, he made the saves he had to in order for Sandwich to claim the state title. What impressed me most was his ability to kick rebounds to the corners and prevent secondary chances.
Watertown lines
Andrade - Banosian - A. Venezia
Cormier - D. Venezia - Tattrie
Cummings - Erickson - C. Campbell
Master - Souza
Salzman - Dickie
Norton
Sandwich lines
Hemeon - Delman - Jordan
Connolly - McIver - Cardillo
Richardson - C. Richardson - Mawhinney
MacKinnon - Kent
Corcoran - Ellis
Ohman
Norkevicius
