Since the last MIAA Super 8 projection, there have been some significant results that likely will cost a few teams a spot in Massachusetts high school hockey’s marque tournament.
With BC High and Pope Francis leading the way, the top seven teams in the Super 8 field should be locks. After that, there is plenty of room for debate.
There are still a few key games between now and Friday. Then, on Saturday, the Mass State Hockey Coaches Association will give their recommendations before the MIAA officially selects the field for the 2019 Super 8.
Below is the updated projection for the field of 10 teams that will compete in this year’s Super 8:
1. BC High (15-2-2)
John Flaherty’s team closes out the regular season with a clash against Hingham in the final of the Buddy Ferreira Classic in Falmouth. Then, the Eagles will look to defend their Super 8 title with the state’s best player in freshman defenseman Declan Loughnane and the top line of all three Kramer brothers.
2. Pope Francis (14-1-2)
The Cardinals have all but sewn up a top two seed in this year’s Super 8. Brian Foley’s team will finish the regular season by taking on Malden Catholic and then the winner (or loser) of Central Catholic and St. Mary’s in the annual Cardinal Classic at the Olympia Center in West Springfield.
3. Hingham (17-3-1)
Tony Messina’s team continues to build its impressive resume with recent wins over Framingham and Duxbury. While senior defenseman Jake Higgins gets much of the publicity, three forwards have also been key in leading the way. Trevor O’Brien, the younger brother of Providence freshman and Philadelphia Flyers first round pick Jay O’Brien, Will Kenney and Jacob Clark have been the top producers.
4. Duxbury (18-3-0)
Two of Duxbury’s three losses have come against the aforementioned Harbormen from Hingham. John Blake’s team certainly deserves a top-five seed, but a win over Austin Prep in tonight’s regular-season finale would seal the deal.
5. Arlington (14-3-3)
Arlington’s regular season is over and it will await Saturday’s selection meeting. There’s no doubt the Spy Ponders have earned a top-five seed. Next up, John Messuri’s group will look to win its second title in three seasons.
6. Austin Prep (13-4-3)
Despite being winless in their last three contests, the Cougars’ entire body of work bodes well for ensuring a Super 8 bid. Bill Pappas’ team will look to enter the post-season on a winning note, but it won’t be easy — having to go up against Duxbury.
7. Framingham (16-3-2)
The Flyers have one game remaining, a tilt against Medford in the Cahoon Cup championship game. In the opinion of this writer, Will Ortiz’s group deserves to be in the field. Framingham has wins over BC High, Burlington, Xaverian, Braintree and St. John’s Shrewsbury. On Tuesday night, the team pulled off a 3-1 win over the Red Devils in a hostile environment at the Burlington Ice Palace. The team also played Pope Francis and Hingham close, dropping each contest by just one goal.
8. Marshfield (12-4-2)
Head coach Dan Connolly recently picked up his 300th career win with the Rams. While the team has just one marquee win, it proved last year to be one of the better teams in the state with its run to the TD Garden as Division 1 South Champion.
9. Xaverian (12-6-2)
The Hawks finished their season with a 4-0 win over Melrose, a team that was also in contention for a Super 8 bid before losing its final two. Dave Spinale’s team was up and down this winter, but played a grueling schedule in the Catholic Conference plus some tough non-league games. They deserve to be in the field.
10. Canton (19-0-1)
Canton’s first blemish came last night with a 2-2 tie against Boston Latin. The Bulldogs won in the shootout to advance to the championship game of the Joe Quinn Memorial Tournament. A win there and this writer believes Brian Shuman’s team should get into the field, despite competing in Division 2.
