Four teams vying for the final two spots in the MIAA Super 8 will battle it out on Sunday in the two play-in games at Stoneham Arena.
No. 7 Burlington will take on No. 10 Hingham in the first game at 4 p.m. followed by No. 8 Framingham and No. 9 Reading in the nightcap at approximately 6:30 p.m.
The Super 8 play-in games have provided great theater over the years and the 2020 edition should be no different. The two winners will have the opportunity to face No. 1 Arlington, winner of the 2017 Super 8, and No. 2 BC High, the two time defending champion, in the first round.
No. 7 Burlington vs. No. 10 Hingham
Burlington is led by senior forward Ryan O’Halloran, one of the more dynamic offensive players in the state in 2019-20. The ’02 skates well, can play in all situations, and is relied on heavily by longtime coach Bob Conceison.
The Red Devils have been through the gauntlet, playing a tough schedule in the always tough Middlesex League.
In addition to O’Halloran, a few other names who might be expected to find the score sheet in Sunday’s first game are senior forwards Cam Costa, Jacob Vozikis and John Condon, junior forwards Zach Auble and Jack Jay, and senior defensemen Trevor and Janis Spencer Reith.
In goal, junior Joe Trabucco was the workhorse during the regular season.
On the other side of the ice, the Harbormen are just one of those programs that seems to rebuild, even when they lose a plethora of players to graduation and prep school. The team’s top two players from a year ago, defenseman Jake Higgins and forward Trevor O’Brien are now plying their trade in prep hockey at Deerfield and St. Mark’s, respectively.
Hingham, an independent, always plays a tough schedule. Coached by Tony Messina, Hingham will be well prepared coming into this game. Keep an eye on senior forward Tim Carroll and junior forward Paul Forbes.
Prediction: Anything can happen, but my gut tells me Burlington pulls this one out by a score of 3-2.
No. 8 Framingham vs. No. 9 Reading
The nightcap should be very entertaining and will likely come down to which team survives the longest. Both teams, but especially Framingham, like to ride their top two lines. Reading is probably a little deeper with an above average third line for high school hockey standards.
Reading’s top player is Landyn Greatorex, an ’03 junior left wing who played for the Boston Jr. Eagles during the fall. A very good skater, he has some skill and has the potential to take over a game at this level.
Other forwards worth watching for Mark Doherty’s Rockets include ’04 sophomore Evan Pennucci and senior forwards Sean Barbera, Kevin Donaghey and Shawn Golden.
Reading has a very solid defense, led by mobile, puck-movers Matthew Fiorenza and Cam Lawhorne, both seniors with plenty of varsity experience. Classmate Brandon Millerick has stepped up this season and junior Charlie Miele provides a physical presence on the blue line.
The Rockets have senior captain Dylan Emery as the last line of defense.
Opposing the Rockets will be a fiesta Framingham team that takes on the persona of head coach Will Ortiz, a former player at UMass.
Senior Will Trischitta is the unquestioned leader of the Flyers. He’s averaging two points per game and he’ll log a ton of minutes. Junior forward Hunter Balducci and senior forward Robbie Lopez are also player to watch up front.
On defense, junior captain Jared Shimelman leads the way at both ends of the ice. Classmate Dom Leone and senior Ryan Watton also play big roles on the blue line.
Senior goaltender Jake Handy got a ton of notoriety after Framingham’s hot start, and he’ll again be counted upon in playoff time.
Prediction: This one might be even tougher to call. Framingham has a couple of superstars, but Reading might be a little deeper. The Flyers might have the edge in goal. Framingham wins It 3-2, but wouldn’t be surprised either way.
