DEDHAM, Mass. — The home team was down a couple of key forwards, but Noble and Greenough School got a pair of first period goals and a strong defensive game and a shutout from Brookline’s Thatcher Bernstein to secure a 2-0 victory over Middlesex Friday at the Flood Rink.
The '06 goaltender and Flood-Marr MVP came into the game with a save percentage north of .950, and actually improved on it by not allowing a single goal. He wasn’t tested all that much, which is a credit to the team defense in front of him, but was ready when called upon. The Ocean State shouldered the offensive load, as Austin Tasca (Hope, R.I.) and Drew Haxton (Wakefield, R.I.) tallied the only goals of the game in the first frame.
Nobles was without the services of Ben MacDonald (Weston, Mass.), who was ranked 60th among North American Skaters on Central Scouting’s mid-term rankings released this week, as well as senior forward Roman Tacelli (Needham, Mass.). Both were allegedly out of the lineup with positive COVID test results but no symptoms. Even without two top forwards, Brian Day’s shuffled lines did a good job of putting pressure on Middlesex. Senior goalie A.J. Finta (Branford, Conn.) did his best to keep it close, making a lot of tough saves.
There were some quality showings in this game, and although first-year coach Bobby Jay’s Zebras came up short in this one, there were some positives for his squad, and it could have gone either way.
Bernstein vs. Finta
This was a game where both goaltenders shined for different reasons.
Finta was under siege from the very first faceoff, as Nobles attacked the Middlesex defense aggressively and generated several quality scoring chances in the first couple of minutes. Finta showed calmness and composure but was beaten on a play from the point, as Nobles defenseman Will Brophy’s (Worcester, Mass.) shot went into traffic in front of the net. Tasca tipped the shot, the puck looping over Finta and landing into the cage behind him for the winning goal. He allowed one more a few minutes later, but after that, was perfect the rest of the way, turning aside all shots and giving Middlesex a chance to get back into the game.
Unfortunately for them, Bernstein was at the other end and continued his tremendous performance to start the year in his first season of prep hockey. What makes Bernstein so effective is how big he is at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds. The thing is- he plays big in his net, presenting a massive presence between the pipes. Just watching him at the other end of the rink, it’s noticeable and has to be challenging for opposing shooters, who don’t have much daylight through and around him to hit.
Middlesex didn’t get much in the way of shots from grade-A scoring areas or sustained offensive pressure, but anything that came Bernstein’s way, he stopped. He’s clearly feeling it, and the old adage that the puck looks as big as a beach ball when a goalie is on top of his game has applied to the Nobles rookie this season.
Nobles defense effective in this one
The home team blue line features size, experience and some good skill. That was evident, as Middlesex had a tough time generating speed through the neutral zone and entering the offensive zone cleanly. Brophy and Brian Grant (Mansfield, Mass.) bring size and athletic feet in Grant’s case. While the uncommitted ’04 can be a bit of an adventure at times in his own end, he did a good job of staying with the Middlesex attackers and ended a few plays along the wall, which is what you want to see from one with his 6-foot-1 frame. Brophy had the primary assist on the opening tally, but he also did some good things defensively, getting back in retrievals and advancing pucks smartly.
Senior John Logan (Hanover, Mass.) and ’06 Joe Mense, who has gotten a lot of attention early in the season for his mobility, poise and two-way game formed a solid duo that did their job efficiently. Both took the ice in front of them when they had the puck, closed quickly with puck carriers and clogged up the middle of the ice, not letting opposing forwards get between the dots with regularity.
Aidan Lyons (Brookline, Mass.) flew around the ice and was activating and making a lot of plays on both sides of the puck, while partner Will Friedman (Newton, Mass.) kept things simple and supported his partner’s rushes. For Lyons, the wheels and puck play is a staple in the recent Bowdoin commit’s game, but he played a responsible game tonight, activating at the right times, jumping a couple of telegraphed passes to transition the play and turning in an all-around performance. Although he’s no longer looking for a school, there is no doubt that he will be a high-impact player in the NESCAC with his skill set- he just needs to consistently play both sides of the puck as he did here.
All in all, it was a solid team effort to stay in structure and limit the shots Bernstein faced.
Last call
Middlesex ’04 forward Bryan Tang was noticeable in this one. He may not be all that dynamic in open ice, but when he gets into the offensive zone, the puck just seems to find him. He’s smart and gets a lot of touches by being in the right spots around the net. He’s one of those players with a sneaky good offensive game.
Senior defenseman Jayden Mullens played a strong game on defense, playing a rugged, physical style of defense by taking the body smartly and boxing out opposing forwards without getting cross-wise with the men in stripes.
For Nobles, the line of Ben Nakata (West Barnstable, Mass.), Dennis Davidson (Newton, Mass.) and Haxton was impressive. Haxton was flying around the ice all night and benefited from a smart play and pass from Lyons via Davidson to get in on Finta, get him to bite, then go around the front of the net and finish on the far side for the second and final goal. Nakata is a smart, engaged left wing who plays with pace and urgency- he’ll only get better. Davidson has been on the radar since he showed well in summer play and then helped the Minuteman Flames capture the 15-O Mass. Tier I state championship in November. Whatever he lacks in size, he’s smart, crafty and plays hard. Put these two youngsters with the senior Haxton, and they were a handful for Middlesex all night.
3 stars
1. Drew Haxton
Nobles, 1/12/03, RW, right shot, 5-9/170
Although he was one of the most experienced players on the ice, Haxton earned it by playing fast, scoring a goal and being generally disruptive all night. He’s such a great skater- explosive and agile. There is a program that will be able to put his best asset to good use.
2. Thatcher Bernstein
Nobles, 7/17/06, G, catches left, 5-10/175
Although he didn’t face a lot of shots, he was nonetheless sharp, focused and poised. Again- he plays so big in that net, and even when you get a glittering chance on him, he’ll make an athletic save. The U.S. National Team Development Program is sure to be taking note.
3. A.J. Finta
Middlesex, 2/3/03, catches left, 6-0/165
It was a good duel between the older, more polished Finta and Bernstein, but the former hung tough and gave his team a chance. He made a tremendous stop on Haxton in the second period, going left to right on a one-timer to keep the score at 2-0 and give his team a lift. Solid outing, stopping 32 of 34 Nobles shots.
