On Sunday, four MIAA boys champions were crowned.
St. John's Prep (controversially) won the Division 1 title, Boston Latin scored a huge upset for the Division 2 title, Marblehead won the Division 3 title with a stunning takedown of No. 1 Nauset and Dover/Sherborn-Weston earned the Division 4 title.
One of the coolest things from Sunday, however, was seeing which players came to play and showcased their best on the biggest stage.
Here are 11 standout players from the four championships. Patrick Donnelly has you covered for the girls' games.
Leo Burdge
Marblehead, goalie, juniorÂ
Burdge had to be outstanding to beat No. 1 Nauset and that's exactly what he was, making 32 stops to edge out the higher-seeded team, 1-0. He was always square to shots and ate up rebounds, especially in the third period. Yes, he was helped out by the post and crossbar numerous times, but Burdge got the job done to secure a D3 state title.
Matthew Cooke
Tewksbury, forward, seniorÂ
It wasn't No. 1 Tewksbury's best game, as it fell to No. 11 Boston Latin, 4-2, but Cooke came to play, especially early. He has a terrific shot, and that was on display Sunday. His first goal was a nice one-timer off the rush, while his second came from a quick release off a face-off. He and linemates Tyler Bourgea and Jeremy Insogna were also extremely physical on Boston Latin's defense.
MIAA GIRLS HOCKEY TITLES: St. Mary’s wins Division 1 | Duxbury wins Division 2
Aiden Emerick
Winchester, goalie, juniorÂ
Emerick is the main reason why Winchester was in the D1 title game. He was also the main reason why Winchester and St. John's Prep should've gone to overtime tied 2-2. Emerick made 46 saves in the loss, weathering St. John's Prep's offense completely. SJP's first goal was off a tip. The second came on the power play. By now, you know what happened on the controversial third goal. But Emerick was sensational when it mattered most. He was seeing every shot and stopping it cleanly.
Aidan Fitzpatrick
Boston Latin, forward, seniorÂ
Fitzpatrick had the eventual game-winning goal for Boston Latin. It all came off compete, as Fitzpatrick hustled to force Tewksbury defenseman Anthony Difranco to turn the puck over behind the net. Then, Fitzpatrick took it to the net and had two chances to put it past goalie David Karlberg. It was that kind of heart and hustle that set the tone for Boston Latin — and ultimately won the Wolfpack the game.
Chris McCarthy
Winchester, forward, juniorÂ
McCarthy notched both of Winchester's goals on Sunday. The first came on the power play off a nice pass through the crease from sophomore defenseman Adam Krogmeier. The second came midway through the third period when he grabbed the puck in the neutral zone and backhanded it past SJP goalie AJ Farese. At the time, that goal put Winchester in the driver's seat.
Brayden McKenna
Dover-Sherborn/Weston, forward, juniorÂ
McKenna's connection with teammate Max Niit was on full display Sunday. First, McKenna hit Niit in the slot with a pass to tie the game, 1-1. Then, he passed it to Niit in the third period for his second goal, making it 4-1. McKenna's been a primary offense generator all season for Dover-Sherborn/Weston, so it's no surprise that continued in the D4 state title game.
Oliver Murphy
Boston Latin, goalie, sophomoreÂ
Contrary to most games between a No. 1 and a No. 11 seed, Boston Latin kept things relatively close on Sunday. But Murphy still came up big on numerous occasions, making 22 saves on 24 shots. Tewksbury's aforementioned top line came out roaring to open the third period and despite a lot of chances, Murphy stood tall.
MIAA BOYS HOCKEY TITLES: St. John’s Prep wins Division 1 | Boston Latin wins Division 2 | Marblehead wins Division 3 | Dover-Sherborn/Weston wins Division 4
Max Niit
Dover-Sherborn/Weston, forward, seniorÂ
Niit was the beneficiary of some great plays by McKenna. Niit's first goal was a nice one-timer. But on the second, he cut from the goal line to the front of the net and slipped one past Hanover goalie Thomas Perkins.
Logan Poulin
Nauset, forward, juniorÂ
While Poulin and his team couldn't score on Sunday, the junior had numerous chances. He was the best player on the ice. He showcased great skill and a clean, quick release on shots. He drove play for Nauset all afternoon. His closest scoring chance came in the third period when he hit the crossbar. Marblehead just did a good job of keeping a lot of his shots to the outside.
Avin Rodovsky
Marblehead, forward, sophomoreÂ
Rodovsky scored Marblehead's lone goal off a terrific effort and pass by junior forward Kyle Hart. Rodovsky was very involved in the win, showcasing good physicality and hustle, especially in the third period. That hustle paid off on a penalty kill midway through the final frame as Rodovsky showed a high compete to prevent Nauset from getting scoring chances.
THE OTHER SIDE: What it's like to lose in the state championship game — and what comes next
Johnny Tighe
St. John's Prep, forward, seniorÂ
Yes, Tighe's game-winner technically went in after the buzzer. But it still counted and the senior capped off his final season at St. John's Prep in the best way possible. He also came up big midway through the third period. McCarthy had just given Winchester a 2-1 lead and the Eagles looked deflated. Then, Tighe finished a net-front chance, tying the game and giving his team life. Tighe was one of the underrated players for SJP, but he got his day in the spotlight on Sunday.
