Nothing this season topped St. John's Prep's infamous winner last season. But there were still a slew of memorable moments.
And that's what you want from the MIAA boys hockey championships, right?
Five, 10 or 20 years from now, different people will remember different things from Sunday. Some will point to this winner or that winner, while others might point to a save or a one-man performance.
Sunday's four championships had all of those things.
Here are seven unforgettable moments from Sunday.
1. Nolan Dawson's double-overtime winner for Billerica
A goal in double-overtime? This was obviously going to be No. 1. But it started moments before.
Roughly two minutes before Dawson's winner, forward Daniel Viscione (more on him in a bit) created a 2-on-1 with forward Edward Conley. Viscione dished it to Conley, who put it just over the net and the outstretched Canton goalie, Connor Geoghan. So, when Viscione got the puck off a defensive zone draw in double overtime, he darted up the ice to create another 2-on-1.
This time, it was defenseman Nolan Dawson to his right. Viscione passed the puck again and Dawson scored, sending the Billerica fan section into a frenzy. It was a memorable finish to an outstanding senior season for Dawson.
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2. Tommy Hurst's last-minute winner for Catholic Memorial
It was hard to beat the notoriety and infamy of last season's last-second winner for St. John's Prep over Winchester. I can confirm, however, that this one did go in well before the final horn — 21.3 seconds before to be exact.
The Knights had pinned St. John's Shrewsbury in its own end for the entire final minute. The Pioneers were understandably gassed and a defenseman went for a loose puck and tried to rim it out of the zone.
One problem: CM defenseman James Baker pinched and kept the puck in, throwing it to the front of the net where Hurst picked it up and put it past SJS goalie Colin McCarthy, essentially sealing the game for Catholic Memorial.
Like with Dawson, it's always cool to see seniors go out on a game-winning goal — and Hurst did that.
3. Daniel Viscione factors into every goal for Billerica
Viscione picked a good day to be at his best. He was the offensive leader for the Indians all season and that continued in the final.
Both of his goals were off hard, quick shots. The first was a one-timer that Geoghan never really even had time to adjust to. The second also seemed to surprise Geoghan, as Viscione got the puck off a deflection and just fired it past the Canton netminder from up top. It can't be understated how huge that goal was. Canton had just scored with under three minutes left and had every ounce of momentum.
Then, of course, there was the assist of the winner. What a way to end a high school career.
4. Nauset's Logan Poulin puts on one final show
Nauset fans were likely on edge entering the third period. The Warriors couldn't score in their championship game last season and failed to score in their only other D3 final appearance in 2004. Fans were on edge because it looked to be happening again.
Poulin, who entered the game with over 50 goals and over 80 points, scored within the first minute of the final frame but it was called off due to goalie interference.
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But the Vermont across commit wouldn't be denied. Midway through the third, he got a loose puck in the slot and backhanded one past Medfield goalie Charlie Duggan. That started a string of goals for the Warriors that resulted in them winning, 4-1. Poulin also added an empty-net goal.
5. Billerica's Stephen MacIntosh looked to be hurt — but played great the rest of the way
Billerica's chances of a win on Sunday looked to be hitting the floor early in the third period. Canton got a shorthanded breakaway and Macintosh stopped it. But MacIntosh didn't get up for a bit and looked to be wincing. Teammates came over and a trainer waited on ready at the bench.
To make it even crazier, I didn't see any backup goalies for Billerica taking part in warm-ups before the game. So a completely cold goalie would've been thrust into the third period of a tied, championship game.
Fortunately for Billerica, MacIntosh played through it and never allowed another goal, helping the Indians eventually win in double overtime.
6. Michael Donahue and Michael Holgersen combine for the knockout punch
Senior captain Michael Holgersen led the way for Winthrop with a hat trick over Dedham, while fellow senior captain Michael Donahue pitched a 22-save shutout in net.
The two came up big in a critical spot with time winding down in regulation. With Dedham pushing to get on the board, Donahue made his best save of the game, robbing Marauders senior Tim Holton’s shot from the slot with a shoulder save. Dedham took a penalty immediately after, and Winthrop made them pay on the ensuing power play. Sophomore forward Joseph Pumphret got free in a battle to the left of the crease, swiping a pass to the slot, where Holgersen was waiting to bury it into the yawning cage. The crowd popped as Holgersen and his teammates went ballistic for his second goal of the game.
He’d go on to complete the hat trick as the Vikings took home their first title since 1976.
7. The goalie matchup in Catholic Memorial-St. John's Shrewsbury
I've already written about the big-picture implications of the goalie matchup in the Division 1 final. But on a smaller scale...holy crap.
Jaxson Fleming, an eighth grader, led Catholic Memorial throughout the season. To play like that as a 2010-born player on that stage was impressive. Colin McCarthy was in his fifth varsity start of the season after spending the year on junior varsity. Outside of the final five minutes of the third period (which, I must admit, are some pretty big minutes), he looked the part.
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Both made big-time saves on big-time chances in the first and second periods. Both gave their teams chances to win.
An eighth grader vs. a junior varsity goalie — a matchup we won't soon forget.
