The 2018-19 regular season is over for the Massachusetts high school hockey circuit. The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) will unveil the field for the annual Super 8 on Saturday morning after a recommendation from the Mass. State Hockey Coaches Association (MSHCA).
Picking the field for this year’s Super 8 is relatively easy at the top, but the final four spots are certainly up for debate. It should make for some fun banter after the final selections are announced and an interesting night at the play-in games.
Defending champion BC High is the undisputed top team in the state, but Pope Francis isn’t far behind. The Eagles and Cardinals met twice this season with John Flaherty’s team holding a 1-0-1 advantage. No one would complain if the two powerhouse programs met again in a rematch of the 2018 Super 8 final.
Below is the final projection for the 2019 MIAA Super 8 field:
1. BC High (16-2-2)
The Eagles only lost once to a team from the Commonwealth. Besides the blip on the radar against Framingham, BC High was dominant, including a 7-0-1 run through the Catholic Conference gauntlet. The team put up almost five goals per game while giving up just slightly over a goal per game.
2. Pope Francis (15-1-3)
It’s been nearly two months since Brian Foley’s team last lost a hockey game. The Cardinals have been impressive and look to be the only serious threat to BC High repeating as kings of Massachusetts high school hockey.
3. Hingham (17-4-1)
As always, the Harbormen were challenged with a very tough schedule — and they came through with a good resume. Tony Messina’s team will be tested and ready to go when the puck is dropped on its first game.
4. Framingham (17-3-2)
The Flyers solidified their spot in the Super 8 over the past month of the season with wins over BC High, Burlington and Xaverian. One goal losses to Pope Francis and Hingham were the only blemishes since the calendar turned to 2019.
5. Arlington (14-3-3)
The Spy Ponders will look to capture their second Super 8 title in three years when this year’s tournament is all said and done. John Messuri’s team has some veterans who have played together for quite some time.
6. Austin Prep (14-4-3)
The Cougars had their ups and downs this season, but finished the regular season with a shutout win over Duxbury. Bill Pappas’ team has the best goaltender of any of the Super 8 contenders.
7. Duxbury (18-4–0)
The Dragons lost two in a row to close out the regular season, but the body of work is still impressive enough to get into the Super 8. Duxbury’s schedule wasn’t quite as challenging as the other teams in the tournament. It will be interesting to see how they fare once things heat up in tournament action.
8. St. Mary’s Lynn (16-5-1)
I penciled the Spartans out of the Super 8 following a lopsided loss to BC High, but Mark Lee’s team finished the season 2-0-1 — the draw coming against Pope Francis. St. Mary’s is always a tough out and they should squeeze into the Super 8.
9. Marshfield (13-5-2)
The Rams have an experienced team that won the Division 1 South last year. Three losses in their last eight will be their undoing if the selection committee elects to keep them out of the field.
10. Canton (20-0-1)
The Bulldogs deserve a shot to prove themselves in the Super 8 play-in game. Despite it being against a Division 2 schedule, kudos to Brian Shuman’s team for going undefeated. Junior captain John Hagan is the team’s top player.Â
Canton might not be as good as St. John’s Prep, Xaverian or Catholic Memorial, but all three of those teams faltered during large stretches of the season. I’d have no problem if the committee put any of those three teams in for the final spot.
