ARLINGTON, Mass. — The sign of a good team is winning when not having its best stuff. That’s exactly what Arlington did on Sunday night at Ed Burns Arena as the Spy Ponders scored three third-period goals to dispose of Woburn by a score of 4-1.
The Middlesex League clash remained a stalemate through two periods. Brendan Hirsch gave Arlington a 1-0 lead after 15 minutes. Jackson Powers answered for Woburn late in the second period while on the power play.
After killing off the remainder of a five-minute major, Arlington showed its muscle. Skating four-on-four, Jake Russell roofed a backhander to give the Spy Ponders a 2-1 lead. Drew Fecteau gave John Messuri’s team a two-goal cushion before Jack Sadowski iced it with an empty-net tally.
While much of the focus this season has rightfully been on Sadowski, an '06 sophomore, it was Arlington’s second line that did much of the damage Sunday night. Russell had a goal and two assists while Hirsch had a goal and an assist. Fecteau, the third linemate, had a goal.
Woburn is no pushover. It certainly isn’t the best team Jim Duran has ever had, but Powers is a very good player. The fact Arlington was able to find a way is a testament to the team’s resilience and depth. With the win, the Spy Ponders moved to 5-0 while Woburn dropped to 4-1.
Prospect notes
Jake Russell
Arlington, 12/1/04, C, right shot, 5-8/155
Russell stood out to me in his team’s win over Wakefield earlier in the season. He wasn’t the best prospect in the game, but he was the best player on the ice for 45 minutes tonight. He was flying and buzzing all over the ice. He made a nice zone entry immediately prior to Hirsch’s first goal. He showed off his speed and hands by blowing down the left wing and lifting a backhander just under the bar on the game-winning goal. His hunting pucks and cycling pucks led to an assist on the third Arlington goal. Russell made those around him better tonight. It was a great three-point game for the junior.
Jackson Powers
Woburn, 4/30/05, C, left shot, 5-8/130
Powers was the best Woburn player by far. He scored a power-play goal coming off the wall towards the end of the second period. He showed poise waiting for an opening and firing a puck that beat the goaltender to the short side. His skating, skill and confidence with the puck on his stick are all notable at the MIAA level. He plays with a little bit of an edge, but I’d like to see him bring that each and every shift. Also a very good baseball player, Powers has the skill set to play college hockey, if he ever puts full focus on the ice.
Jack Sadowski
Arlington, 7/29/06, RW, left shot, 5-10/160
Sadowski was quiet for most of the night. Obviously, expectations are sky high as I believe he’s one of three to four MIAA players who are sure things to play Division 1 college hockey. Even when not on top of his game, he scored an empty-net goal, made some nifty passes, and had the puck a decent amount. As I’ve stated a few times, his hockey sense and shot are elite attributes. His skating and pace need to get better, but I believe they will.
Brendan Hirsch
Arlington, 4/17/05, RW, left shot, 6-2/190
Hirsch scored the first goal, blasting a hard wrist shot into the top half of the net while skating from right to left through the slot. His size, strength and ability to be heavy on pucks was instrumental on the cycle that led to the team’s third goal. Hirsch will need to become a better skater for his game to translate to higher levels, but he’s an impactful north-south power forward in high school hockey.
Arlington lines
Alesse - Malatesta - Sadowski
Fecteau - Russell - Hirsch
Gore - Yunes - Wright
O’Connor
Desmond - Sotiropoulos
Flynn - Gilbert
Snyder
Davies
Woburn lines
Scalesse - Powers - Santullo
McEleney - D’Arrigo - Parece
McComiskey - Ciavardone - 21
Arsenault - LaPrade
Leuzzi - Welch
Barreto
