At the top of Division 3, everyone knows your name.
Fans track the leading scorers, stingiest goaltenders and best teams throughout the winter months until the coronations in February (conference) and March (NCAA).
But outside the spotlight, there’s a lot of hard work being done by many players on teams throughout the region. Hard work that’s producing results.
Let’s take a look at five unsung performers from the first three weekends of the Division 3 season.
Patrick Colgan, jr., D, Framingham State
You could make a case that, in the last five years, no Division 3 team in New England has struggled more than Framingham State. The overall records:
2021-22: 3-21-1
2019-20: 4-18-3
2018-19: 2-22-1
2017-18: 3-20-2
So that’s why a 2-1-1 start to this season is worth – if not celebrating – at least noting, a start that includes wins over Southern New Hampshire and Salem State, and a one-goal loss to UMass Dartmouth.
Small sample size? Yes. Encouraging sample size? Also yes.
On Saturday, facing a Fitchburg State team that could challenge for the top spot in the MASCAC, the Rams produced some last-minute magic when Colgan’s shot from the blue line found the net in the final minute of regulation, securing a 3-3 tie.
A transfer from Nichols prior to the 2021-22 season, Colgan has bolstered the Rams’ blueline while serving as team captain, while a trio of sophomores – Ashton Collazo, Dylan Marty and Kaleb Kinskey – are setting the scoring pace with three goals apiece.
Nick Favaro, sr., D, Curry
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Favaro has been a mainstay on the Colonels’ blueline since he was a freshman. This year, he’s added more of an offensive element to his game, leading his team in assists (six) and points (seven).
Curry improved to 4-1 overall with Saturday’s 3-2 upset of the seventh-ranked University of New England. That game saw Favaro, an Ontario native, score his first goal of the season, a snapped wrister from the high slot that gave the Colonels a two-goal lead in the second period.
Andrew Holland (Winchester, Mass.), sr., F, Babson
Coming out of Belmont Hill, Holland’s future seemed limitless after he produced nine goals – three of them game-winners – and 18 points as a freshman.
Then the pandemic hit and when the Beavers returned to a full schedule last winter, Holland produced very little – a goal and four assists in 24 games,
That’s why Saturday’s game was so significant. Holland scored his first career hat trick in a 6-3 win over Johnson and Wales that bumped Babson’s record to 4-1.
Five games in, he leads the team in goals and shares the lead in points. Pretty good foundation for a senior year.
Max Macchioni (North Kingstown, R.I.), fr., G, Fitchburg State
There are huge skates to fill in the Fitchburg goal this season following the graduation of standout Brian McGrath (Worcester, Mass.), and Macchinoni is seizing his chance to be the guy.
In three starts – two wins and a tie – the South Shore Kings product has produced a 1.62 goals-against average and .945 save percentage.
He’s also gotten to enjoy sharing a locker room with older brother Michael, a sophomore forward for the Rams who’s already scored twice to double his goal total from last season.
Joe Nagle (Weymouth, Mass.), jr., D, Norwich
We know, it’s tough to sell any Norwich team or player as “under-the-radar.” The Cadets have been the gold standard of D-3 hockey in New England for a while, winning NCAA championships in 2003, ‘10 and ‘17 under Mike McShane, and reaching the national championship game in 2019 under current coach Cam Ellsworth.
But Norwich didn’t receive much love in the preseason, getting picked for fourth place in a loaded NEHC and a pedestrian 15th in the national poll.
Nagle, a UNH transfer who produced five goals and 14 points last season, hasn’t found the net yet this season. But he shares the team lead with four assists and his plus/minus (+7) is the best on the squad.
He’s a big reason the Cadets are off to a 4-1 start, the only blip a loss to Castleton.
@MikeZhe603
mzhe@hockeyjournal.com
