With the 2021-22 MIAA high school hockey season is in full swing, two marquee games dotted the calendar over the last week.
In one of them, St. John’s Prep went on the road and upset previously unbeaten Xaverian in a hotly contested Catholic Conference showdown at Canton Ice House. As a result, the Eagles have ascended to the top spot in this week’s edition of New England Hockey Journal’s MIAA Power Rankings.
Arlington and Belmont played to an exciting 2-2 draw on Wednesday night in a battle of the top two public school teams in the state. With a few upsets and teams emerging with more of a sample size, there were was significant movement in this week’s rankings.
1. St. John’s Prep
Record: 6-1-0 | Conference: Catholic Conference | Previous: 4
Since losing to BC High in the second game of the season, the Eagles have rattled off five consecutive wins. Kristian Hanson’s team has allowed just four goals in that stretch that includes a huge 5-2 win at Xaverian. SJP plays a detail-oriented game and is certainly well-coached. A good defense is oftentimes a better offense. That’s the case with the Eagles as they can roll four lines that get pucks deep and go to work.
2. Xaverian
Record: 7-1-0 | Conference: Catholic Conference | Previous: 1
The Hawks were knocked from their perch after the aforementioned 5-2 loss against SJP. However, it was a tie game until five minutes left in the third. Dave Spinale’s team is still one of the favorites to win it all. Similar to the Prep, I like Xaverian’s experience, size and physical prowess.
3. Arlington
Record: 6-1-1 | Conference: Middlesex Liberty | Previous: 2
The Spy Ponders are winless in two straight, but it’s not like the games were against cupcakes. A loss to Hingham and a draw against Belmont certainly aren’t reasons to cast doubt on a good team. John Messuri’s roster has the talent to compete with anyone, but Arlington is younger, especially in key positions. Speed bumps or not, expect the Spy Ponders to be there deep into the tournament.
4. Belmont
Record: 8-0-1 | Conference: Middlesex Liberty | Previous: 3
The Marauders are one of the best stories of the season to date. Belmont has taken on all challengers and beaten some very good teams, including BC High, Reading, Winchester and Franklin. The big name is winger Cam Fici, who has scored a ton of goals, and Ryan Griffin has been solid in net.
5. Catholic Memorial
Record: 5-1-0 | Conference: Catholic Conference | Previous: 5
The Knights were off for a few games and now have some key seniors suspended. After a loss to Hingham, CM bounced back with a win over St. John’s Shrewsbury. Larry Rooney’s team will have to fend off the tide until its key upperclassmen return to the lineup. Xaverian poses a huge test Sunday in the Catholic Conference Showcase at Canton Ice House.
6. Austin Prep
Record: 4-1-0 | Conference: Catholic Central | Previous: 6
The Cougars are likely a step below the top five teams in the state, but Bill Pappas’ group is formidable after that. There’s a lot of intriguing young talent on this year’s edition of Austin Prep. A couple of late January games against Pope Francis and February’s Buddy Ferreira Classic will be worthy of watching.
7. Pope Francis
Record: 3-2-0 | Conference: Independent | Previous: 8
The Cardinals haven’t played an MIAA contest since before the calendar turned to 2022. Brian Foley’s team should get better as the season goes along. Despite not having the high-end talent that usually dons the Cardinal uniform, there is still reason for optimism for the best team west of 495.
8. (tie) Hingham
Record: 6-3-0 | Conference: Independent | Previous: 12
As I’ve mentioned countless times, Hingham plays as challenging of a schedule as any public school team in the state. An independent, the Harbormen go up against the best. Wins over Arlington and Catholic Memorial made a huge statement. However, a 4-2 loss Wednesday against Franklin might have been a letdown game. Junior forward Aidan Brazel has been the offensive star this season.
8. (tie) Braintree
Record: 5-1-1 | Conference: Bay State Herget | Previous: 9
The Wamps have also challenged themselves early in the campaign. Dave Fasano’s team will have another chance for a marquee victory when Braintree travels to Hingham Saturday night. Sophomore Jack Fitzgerald picked up his first shutout of the season in Wednesday’s victory over a solid Weymouth team. Nolan Leonard, Owen Flynn, Nick Fasano and Garrett Coughlin have been the offensive leaders.
10. Malden Catholic
Record: 4-2-0 | Conference: Catholic Conference | Previous: 7
I’ve caught Malden Catholic three times now, including in two losses. Chris Kuchar’s squad is good enough to win a bunch of games, but a lack of depth and goal-scoring could prove to keep the Lancers below the upper echelon, especially in a challenging league such as the Catholic Conference.
11. St. Mary’s
Record: 3-2-2 | Conference: Catholic Central | Previous: 11
The Spartans are a tough team to figure out. Scoring goals hasn’t come easy, but some inconsistent results are also head-scratching. Mark Lee’s group has played a tough schedule, but a couple of games that went down as ties or losses don’t help in building a resume for the state tournament.
12. BC High
Record: 2-4-1 | Conference: Catholic Conference | Previous: 10
A quick look around the prep school ranks could make plenty of people feel for BC High head coach John Flaherty. Providence commits Declan Loughnane and Chris Romaine skate on the blue line for Thayer and Milton, respectively. There’s also talent gone from BC High’s roster on Dexter Southfield and Nobles. Flaherty and his program aren’t about excuses. The Eagles still have talent up front that should push them back to .500 or better and a chance for the state tournament.
13. Tewksbury
Record: 7-0-0 | Conference: Dual County/Merrimack Valley 2 | Previous: 15
The Redmen continue to make easy work of a soft schedule, at least compared to the other teams in these rankings. Don’t let that completely fool you on this Tewksbury squad. Derek Doherty’s team is legit. Defenseman Caden Connors and forwards Jason and Matthew Cooke, brothers, are leading the way for a Tewksbury team that has outscored its opponents by a combined score of 39-6. The Redmen will have a chance to prove their worth in the Ed Burns Tournament in February.
14. Winchester
Record: 5-2-0 | Conference: Middlesex Liberty | Previous: 13
The Sachems are coming off a big 2-1 overtime win over archrival Woburn. Geno Khachadourian’s team has taken its lumps lately with two lopsided losses to Belmont and Arlington. The player that has emerged as an early-season favorite for breakout player of the year in high school hockey is sophomore center Danny Collins. He had the overtime goal against Woburn and scored the game-winner at Reading earlier this year.
15. Reading
Record: 3-2-1 | Conference: Middlesex Liberty | Previous: 14
The Rockets are a hard team to figure out. Mark Doherty’s team should be much better, but the team hasn’t gelled yet this season. Reading hasn’t scored a goal in three straight games. The Middlesex League is always a challenge, but the Rockets should find a way to stay afloat and make the tournament.
16. Waltham
Record: 4-2-1 | Conference: MVC/Dual County 1 | Previous: Unranked
Scoring goals has proven to be a challenge so far this season for the Hawks. Luckily for John Maguire and his team, senior goaltender Jack Perry has been more than up to the task at the defensive end. Waltham has allowed just two goals over the last three games, but a lack of offense has kept its record to 2-1 during that stretch. A 3-1 loss to CM and a tie against Marshfield are on the results page as its most impressive nonconference games.
17. Masconomet
Record: 7-1-0 | Conference: Northeastern North | Previous: Unranked
The Chieftains only have one loss, a last-minute heartbreaker to Stoneham at the latter’s holiday tournament. Andrew Jackson’s team has made easy work of the rest of its schedule, minus a close win over a good Gloucester team. The player to watch is sophomore forward A.J. Sacco, a slick winger with skill and vision.
18. Franklin
Record: 6-5-0 | Conference: Hockomock Kelley-Rex | Previous: Unranked
I saw Franklin earlier in the season when the Panthers traveled north of Boston to face Malden Catholic in the Christie Serino Christmas Tournament. Despite losing that night, I came away impressed with Anthony Sarno’s team. Good young goaltending from Cole Pouliot-Porter and solid depth will keep Franklin in many games this season. Wins over St. Mary’s, Hingham, St. John’s Shrewsbury and Weymouth are impressive resume builders. Kudos to FHS for scheduling tough games as the team also has lost to Belmont and Catholic Memorial.
19. Marshfield
Record: 4-3-1 | Conference: Independent | Previous: Unranked
The Rams are another team that has faced stiff competition early in the season. Two narrow losses against Xaverian and Hingham show Dan Connolly’s team can hang tough with the upper echelon of high school hockey. A pair of sophomore wingers, Cam McGettrick and Will Doherty are reason enough to watch Marshfield, always one of the top public school teams in the state.
20. Marlboro
Record: 6-0-1 | Conference: Quinn Conference | Previous: Unranked
The Panthers are in Division 3, but Mike O’Brien’s club is undefeated and on pace to be a top threat come state tournament time. Prep schools should be keeping close tabs on senior forward Marcus Chrisafides as the lefty would be a nice addition as a postgraduate student in 2022-23.
