For Lawrence Academy, the Piatelli/Simmons (small-school) championship game played out much like its entire season. The Spartans had to battle adversity and overcome a few challenges, but in the end, one of the preseason favorites concluded its season with a trophy. Gunnar Fontaine (East Greenwich, R.I.) scored his second goal of the game 8:22 into...
For Lawrence Academy, the Piatelli/Simmons (small-school) championship game played out much like its entire season. The Spartans had to battle adversity and overcome a few challenges, but in the end, one of the preseason favorites concluded its season with a trophy.
Gunnar Fontaine (East Greenwich, R.I.) scored his second goal of the game 8:22 into overtime to send his teammates into a euphoric celebration. The RPI commit blew into the zone down the left wing and fired a shot from a bad angle that found its way into the back of the net for a 5-4 overtime win over New Hampton School.
Along with linemates Sam Colangelo (Stoneham, Mass.) and Neil Shea (Marshfield, Mass.), Fontaine’s unit was able to put pressure on New Hampton’s defensemen almost the entire game.
"They played well. They were relentless on the forecheck. They had some great opportunities," said Lawrence Academy coach Robbie Barker (Concord, N.H.).
"We all move the puck well. We’re all smart players. We all wanted to win. The bounces all went our way," added Shea, a Northeastern commit who returned from the USHL to have one more chance at a prep school championship.
"It’s one of the reasons I came back. I had some unfinished business. Last year didn’t end the way we wanted," said Shea, whose father is a former BC star and current Colorado Avalanche scout.
Murphy Gielow, Tyler Young (Lancaster, Mass.) and Connor Sweeney (North Andover, Mass.) also had goals for the Spartans. Colangelo added two helpers while Ian Graiff made 31 saves in net.
Maine recruit Lynden Breen lit the lamp twice and Holy Cross commit Joe Dunlap (Windham, N.H.) had two assists to lead the way for New Hampton.
The Spartans, loaded with eight Division 1 commits, finished the season 14-3 after a disappointing 7-7-1 start. However, coaches and players never wavered in their confidence and belief that they had what it took to turn the season into a success.
"From the way they struggled at the beginning, the adversity and the keep-going attitude, I knew we were in for something big at the end of the year," said Barker, who played college hockey at UNH.
"The seniors didn’t want to give our senior year away like that," said Shea. "We wanted to win and we turned it around. Now we’re all champions.
"This is unbelievable. It’s a great feeling."
