There’s just over two weeks until the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic associate announces the 10 teams that will compete in the 2019 Super 8 Hockey Tournament.
While the teams at the top of the tournament field are firmly in place, there is still plenty of room for speculation and controversy when it comes to the last few spots.
There are 17 teams left on the Mass. State Hockey Coaches Association ‘Watch List’ for the 2019 Super 8, per Jim Clark of The Boston Herald.
In alphabetical order, they are: Andover, Arlington, Austin Prep, BC High, Billerica, Canton, Catholic Memorial, Duxbury, Framingham, Hingham, Melrose, Pope Francis, Reading, St. John’s Prep, St. Mary’s, Winchester, and Xaverian.
Here’s how I’d slot the 10 teams for the 2019 Super 8, if the tournament started today:
1. BC High (11-2-2)
Defending Super 8 champion BC High is still the team to beat. After suffering a loss at Framingham on Jan. 28 and settling for a 2-2 draw with Pope Francis three nights later, the Eagles have rifled off two straight convincing wins over Catholic Conference foes Catholic Memorial and Malden Catholic. Not much else can be said about John Flaherty’s squad. The three Kramer brothers, Matt Lakus, and Declan Loughnane give BC High firepower that no other team in the state can match.
Check out the NEHJ TV feature on BC High that aired on NESN in January.
2. Pope Francis (10-1-2)
Brian Foley’s team plays as challenging of a schedule as anyone and they have been on a roll of late. The Cardinals haven’t lost since a Dec. 28 setback against BC High in the final of the Pete Frates Winter Classic. Last time out Pope Francis downed fellow Super 8 contender Hingham by a score of 4-2. Makem Demers, Jon Tavella and Max Cocchi lead the way offensively.
3. Hingham (14-3-0)
The Harbormen have played an equally challenging schedule and have defeated many teams in consideration for a Super 8 bid. Sunday’s clash with Arlington just might decide who gets the third seed, assuming neither team falters too much down the stretch. Senior defenseman Jake Higgins is the key that starts the engine for Tony Messina’s squad.
4. Arlington (10-3-2)
The Spy Ponders have wins over Marshfield, Austin Prep and Woburn in three of their last five games. One loss in that stretch was a tough 1-0 decision at the hands of Reading, a team that has just entered the watch list. The other was a tough drop to a Burlington team that isn’t as good as it usually is in the Middlesex League. In the team’s big win over Austin Prep, junior forward Drew Malatesta proved he belonged in the discussion of top players in the state.
5. Austin Prep (12-2-2)
The Cougars bounced back from the loss to Arlington with a win and have another big test Saturday with a home game against St. Mary’s. Senior right wing Max Pineo is a very good player for this level and the defense is young, but has some players to watch out for in the future. ’04 Jack Farrell, ’03 Aidan Elkins and ’02 Will Cohen are a solid stable on the blue line. Goaltender Rob Farrell brings a leadership aspect to the crease.
6. Duxbury (15-2-0)
This is John Blake’s best team in a few years. The Dragons had a big recent win over Xaverian, but lost to Hingham in their other marque game of the season. Duxbury will get a chance to face some of the top teams in the state at the Buddy Ferriera Classic with other teams such as BC High, Austin Prep, Hingham and Reading also in the field.
7. Xaverian (11-4-1)
Dave Spinale’s team has been up and down, but a recent win over CM has helped solidify their spot in the Super 8. The Hawks swept St. John’s Prep and have some other big wins over Marshfield and ties against St. John’s Shrewsbury and Austin Prep. Senior center Josh Barton is a big power forward who leads the Xaverian offense.
8. Catholic Memorial (10-5-0)
The Knights have a win (and a loss) against Xaverian, a win over Reading, and have played tough in a game against Reading while not proving to be much in the way of BC High. The Rooney brothers are the straw that stirs the drink for a CM team that is looking to get back to the Super 8.
9. St. Mary’s (14-3-0)
The Spartans have hit the skids of late and have a big game Saturday versus the aforementioned Cougars of AP. Mark Lee’s group has lost to Franklin and Hingham in their last five. ’03 freshman defenseman Davis Kinne is one of the more poised blue liners in the state.
10. Melrose (11-1-5)
The Raiders play hard every night and have started to go up against some of the gauntlet in the Middlesex League and have fared well. Vin Mirasolo’s team relies on its underclassmen, namely Brendan Fennell and Charlie Haggerty, the grandson of former UNH head coach Dick Umile.
