NEEDHAM, MASS. -- Thayer Academy and St. Sebastian's split their two regular season meetings, but the Tigers won the most important game of the season, 4-2, on Saturday in front of a packed house at the Henry T. Lane Rink.
Freshman forward Sasha Teleguine's third period goal regained the lead for Thayer just one shift after the Arrows had tied the score, 2-2. The goal proved to be the game-winner. Senior and top 2018 NHL Draft prospect Jay O'Brien salted away the victory with an empty net goal in the final minute.
In a game full of prospects, it was some of the more unheralded players who stepped up for each team. Senior Evan Googins, one of the better uncommited '99s in the region, had a goal and an assist for the Tigers. Sophomore Connor Joyce scored the first St. Sebastian's goal of the afternoon.
Despite not having a college commitment yet, '00 junior center Liam Gorman was the best player on the ice for the Arrows. He's heavy, he backchecks, he wins face-offs, and he goes to the dirty areas. He had an assist on the team's second goal, driving down the right wing and cutting in on net before dishing the puck off to Wyatt Schlaht. He played with an edge and made a few big hits.
There's little doubt O'Brien is the top NHL prospect in prep hockey this season so expectations are always sky high. It wasn't his best game, but he displayed his usual compete and strong skating ability. He made a few plays that failed to elicit scores. He made a key, but subtle play in the third period, blocking a Riley Hughes shot on the power play.
'01 junior defenseman Jake Flynn was really good for Thayer. He's really starting to come into his own and it showed in this game. He moves pucks up ice with poise. He defends well with his feet, stick and body positioning. He has good feet to avoid and sidestep oncoming forecheckers. Don't expect Flynn to be uncommitted much longer.
The game featured a goaltending duel between the best '02 in the country and one of the top '02 goaltenders in Massachusetts. BU commit Drew Commesso, a virtual lock to make the U.S. NTDP, made several key saves for the Arrows while Gavin Fitzpatrick was solid for the Tigers.
With the win, Thayer moves on to Sunday's Large School Tournament championship game against Brunswick.
Thayer Lines
25 Aidan McDonough (NU) - 9 Jay O'Brien (PC) - 3 Tristan Amonte
19 Christian Hayes - 14 Evan Googins - 24 Reilly Moran (Army)
10 Sasha Teleguine - 22 Zach Glass - 18 Nolan Fitzpatrick
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6 Jack Murphy - 4 Jake Flynn
7 Jayson Dobay (UMass) - 12 Nolan Hayes
23 PJ Garrett
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35 Gavin Fitzpatrick
St. Sebastian's Lines
17 Liam Devlin - 20 Tommy Lyons (Brown) - 19 Reilly Hughes (NU)
10 Wyatt Schlaht - 15 Liam Gorman - 12 Liam Connors (BU)
5 Colin Kehoe - 18 Connor Joyce - 8 Brendan Dumas
26 JP Milbury - 9 Evan Reddick - 11 Declan Maguire
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3 Jayden Struble (NU) - 21 Blake Colman
4 Will Kiley - 14 James Davenport (Brown)
24 Thomas Messineo - 2 Ryan MacDermott
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1 Drew Commesso (BU)
