BROOKLINE, Mass. — Robert Lapsley’s goal with 7:19 to play in the third period lifted Nobles to an upset win at Dexter on Friday night in a game that saw several momentum changes.
Lapsley added an insurance tally to make the final score 5-3 in favor of the visitors. Left wing David Jacobs, defenseman John Murray and left wing Ryan Stevens were the other goal-scorers for Brian Day’s team that improved to 4-0-0 on the young season.
Dexter was without star center John Farinacci, a Harvard recruit and highly coveted 2019 NHL Draft prospect. The Chatham, N.J., native is expected to miss time with a shoulder injury he suffered in the team’s 2-2 tie against Exeter on Wednesday.
Northeastern recruit Chase McInnis, who usually plays wing, slid over into the top center role and scored two goals for Danny Donato’s team. Freshman left wing Culin Wilson also scored for the hosts.
McInnis started the scoring at the 13:41 mark of the first period with Dexter on the man advantage. Defenseman Patrick Morrissey had worked the puck down from the point and got a shot on net that was blocked. McInnis swooped in for the rebound.
Nobles answered with 1:02 to play in the opening period. After receiving a centering feed from Lapsley who was bringing the puck into the zone down the right wing, Jacobs got off a quick snap shot that beat Dexter goaltender Derek Mullahy.
Before some fans even returned to their seats for the start of the second period, Nobles had taken its first lead of the game. Murray came into the zone down the right side and unleashed a wrist shot that beat Mullahy just 21 seconds into the second.
Just over two minutes later, Dexter evened the score, 2-2. Ben Raymond used his speed to beat a defender wide and found Wilson who was driving the net.
Just over a minute after that, Dexter appeared to take all the momentum when McInnis scored his second of the night. From behind the goal line, McInnis banked a shot off Nobles goaltender Marc Smith and into the back of the net.
The score would stay 3-2 Dexter until the waning moments of the second period when Nobles capitalized on the power play. Stevens, committed to Yale, banged home a loose puck that was sitting in the crease following a shot from the point by Murray.
Lapsley gave Nobles the lead for good at the 10:41 mark of the final period as he was cutting into the middle from the right wing. The goal came immediately after Nobles failed to convert on a prolonged 5-on-3 man advantage.
Lapsley added an insurance tally just a couple of minutes later when he got to a loose puck in the slot following a defensive breakdown by Dexter. He spun around and his wrist shot beat Mullahy through traffic.
Smith made a couple of key saves in the final minutes to hold off Dexter’s late charge, including a blocker save off a one-timer with the goaltender pulled for the extra attacker.
Prospect Notes
Aidan Lyons
#10 Nobles, 2/26/03, D, L, 5-9/155
In his first year of prep, Lyons has stepped right into the second pairing and has gotten power play time on the second unit. He has really good hands and feet which allows him to be slick with the puck on his stick. He’s clearly confident with the puck and he’s confident in his skating as he has tight gaps and pinches with authority. He has good touch and vision on his breakout passes and he has the skating and wherewithal to make good retrievals. He should continue to get better as he fills out his frame and learns to not force plays when they aren’t there. He’s a Division I player down the road. He’ll likely have his pick of Hockey East schools as well as Harvard and some of the other big programs in ECAC Hockey.
Casey Severo
#19 Nobles, 2/1/01, C, R, 5-11/175
NCAA Commit: Merrimack
The Pittsford, N.Y., native played about as well as he could considering he’s an offensive player who didn’t find the score sheet. He created quite a few chances and has the quickness to hunt down loose pucks. He’s a 200-foot player, who was able to make a really nice play on the backcheck. He angled off an opposing forward and rode him right into the boards. He is a smart player as he made a great read late in the third period. He intercepted a clearing attempt and had a clean look at the goal, but his shot sailed just high and wide.
Patrick Morrissey
#12 Dexter, 1/7/03, D, R, 5-10.5/158
Expectations are sky high given the fact Morrissey is the best defenseman in New England among this age group. He had an up and down game as he’d probably like a few plays back on Nobles’ goals that ended up in the back of Dexter’s net. On the plus side, his vision in transit is elite. He exudes confidence and poise with the puck on his stick. His gaps are good and he is able to defend with his stick on the rush. Morrissey will almost certainly land at one of the four Beanpot schools.
Culin Wilson
#26 Dexter, 3/12/03, LW, L, 5-10.25/169
The Hingham, Mass., native continues to shine in the early going of his first season in prep hockey. He sees the ice well and seems to know where to go to find seams and get into the scoring areas.
Chase McInnis
#24 Dexter, 2/23/01, C, L, 5-9.75/169
NCAA Commit: Northeastern
Although McInnis scored twice Friday night, he doesn’t have a great offensive skill set. However, he’s very good at hunting pucks, playing heavy, and his compete level is extremely high. He’ll kill penalties and do what it takes to win hockey games. He should be a very good third or fourth line player in a couple of seasons for Jim Madigan’s Huskies.
Dexter Lines
23 A. Connolly - 24 C. McInnis - 25 J. McElaney
26 C. Wilson - 18 B. Raymond - 11 C. Blanchard
17 D. Grimes - 10 T. Grealy - 2 J. Dempsey
19 W. Gierkink - 10 T. Grealy - 15 V. Gould
14 B. Meehan - 12 P. Morrissey
4 B. Pearl - 6 M. Adamson
21 K. McKay - 22 J. Hughes
35 D. Mullahy
Nobles Lines
25 R. Stevens - 19 C. Severo - 9 J. Cronin
12 D. Jacobs - 11 W. Zink - 7 R. Lapsley
14 J. O’Connor - 15 O. O’Connor - 18 C. Pickreign
3 J. Murray - 23 P. Kenney
10 A. Lyons - 27 C. Bailey
XRD - 6 J. DiNovi
1 M. Smith
