MIDDLETON, Mass. – Catholic Memorial erased a one-goal deficit at the second intermission by scoring four goals in a wild third period to defeat St. John’s Prep, 5-3, on Monday afternoon at Essex Sports Center.
The win helped Catholic Memorial avenge a 6-3 loss earlier in the season and gave the Knights the Catholic Conference championship for the second consecutive season.
It was a great high school hockey game with exciting, intense action in front of a packed rink. Division 1 and Division 3 college hockey assistant coaches were among those in attendance for the matinee.
Special teams were a key factor in the game as Catholic Memorial scored three times on the man advantage. Two freshmen played pivotal roles in the win, as right wing Joe Marchi had a goal and two assists while defenseman Anthony Pellitteri also lit the lamp. Sophomore left wing Morgan Lenehan, junior defenseman Mike Corbett and senior left wing Brendan MacNeil also found the back of the net. Junior goaltender Owen Watson made 27 saves to pick up the victory.
It was a rare instance where a lack of discipline came back to bite St. John’s Prep.
ED BURNS COFFEE POT: Check out the full results from an action-packed tournament
Senior right wing Will Van Sicklin scored twice and junior left wing Cam Umlah tallied a goal in the losing effort.
Here are evaluations from some of the game's top prospects.
Joe Marchi
Catholic Memorial, 10/30/07, RW, right shot, 5-7/155
Marchi had a goal and two assists to pace the CM offense. His goal was a thing of beauty. With the Knights gaining the offensive zone on a power play, he took a feed from defenseman Finn Burke. Marchi took a couple of strides and ripped a low wrist shot that went just inside the post. It showed skill, as it was a deceptive release and he fired it off without breaking stride. He picked up two power play assists, as well. He’s quick, used his speed to beat defenders wide and made a couple of plays. He’s continuing to evolve away from the puck. When he hunts pucks and demands it on his stick, he can be a dominant offensive player. It’s important to remember the Foxboro, Mass., native is a late '07 doing this against players who are as much as three years older.
Anthony Pellitteri
Catholic Memorial, 5/2/07, D, right shot, 5-10/208
Pellitteri’s wrist shot from the top of the point gave CM a 1-0 lead. The Holbrook, Mass., native has a hard shot and likes to shoot it from anywhere. After a low-to-high pass, he slid it over to Corbett on his power play goal. He runs the point on the second power play unit for the Knights. Outside of his goal, I’ve been impressed by his progression this season. He’s getting into better shape, which has helped his skating. Additionally, he’s doing a good job reeling it in some and not running around as much. Pellitteri plays with an edge, protecting the net front and being hard to play against. He took a cross-checking penalty on a questionable call in the first period.
Finn Burke
Catholic Memorial, 6/2/04, D, left shot, 6-3/180
NCAA: Bowdoin
Burke had two assists in the game, including the primary on the aforementioned Marchi power play strike. The big, rangy blue liner from Newton, Mass., skates well and has good size. He made a couple of nice breakout passes. He runs the point with center Tyler Hamilton on the first power play unit. While he needs to continue being more consistent and engaging physically, there’s a great deal of potential for him once he gets to Bowdoin under first-year head coach Ben Guite.
Tyler Hamilton
Catholic Memorial, 12/7/06, C, right shot, 5-11/160
Hamilton won the offensive zone draw on Corbett’s power play goal. The Framingham, Mass., native didn’t make a lot of plays, but he played an important part in the victory. He skates well and competes hard. He backchecks and fights for loose pucks. One play that stood out was in the second period when he forechecked with tenacity, won a loose puck battle in the right wing corner, and got it out front for a scoring chance for a teammate.
LATEST RANKINGS: Check out how the top 10 looks in the MIAA
Will Van Sicklin
St. John’s Prep, 7/25/04, RW, right shot, 6-0/165
Van Sicklin scored two goals for the Eagles on Monday. The first was rather opportunistic as he was driving into the zone on the forecheck. Linemate Cole Blaeser dumped the puck down the left wing wall, but it took an errant bounce right into the middle of the ice. The CM goaltender was out of position, as he was looking to play the dump. Van Sicklin wasted no time blasting a low shot into the net. On his second goal, he used his size and strength to gain positioning in the slot and scored on a quick catch-and-shoot.
Jake Vana
St. John’s Prep, 9/1/05, RW, right shot, 5-11/165
Vana’s assist on the third-period goal was on a play that exemplifies the type of player he is. The junior won a battle below the goal line and got it out front to Van Sicklin who buried it. Vana won a few other races and scrums for loose pucks throughout the game.
Catholic Memorial lines
MacNeil - Birch - Fryberger
D’Olympio - Hamilton - Marchi
Lenehan - Donahue - Mottau
xx - xx - Chin
Burke - Parker
Pellitteri - Corbett
Kelly - Tattan
Watson
St. John’s Prep lines
Blaeser - Ayers - Van Sicklin
McGilvray - Rosa - Vana
Umlah - Tighe - Goodrich
White - Santosuosso - Graber
xx - xx - Hosmer
Doherty - Holland
Plaza - Brandano
Goldstein - Morton
Cronin
