MIDDLETON, Mass. -- BC High and Pope Francis each advanced to Friday’s championship game at the Pete Frates Winter Classic with 2-1 wins over their respective opponents in Thursday’s semifinals.
BC High needed a late tally with its goaltender pulled to even the score with St. John’s Prep before a second goal from Thomas Kramer lifted the visitors to the tournament win. For MIAA purposes, the result stands as a 1-1 tie.
In the early game, Pope Francis rallied from a 1-0 deficit as well. Junior right wing Matthew Lajoie scored the only goal of the first period to give the Raiders the edge early. Both Cardinal goals in the comeback win came from defensemen Zach Reiser.
Friday’s championship (5:20 p.m.) is a rematch of the 2018 MIAA Super 8 final at the TD Garden in Boston. In that game, BC High trailed late, but scored late in regulation before Maverick Woods ended it on overtime.