The MIAA championships are almost here. On Sunday, March 19, TD Garden hosts six MIAA hockey state championship games — four with the boys and two with the girls. In these projections, we’ll be predicting the boys' side of things. Before we start, let’s take a look back at our outstanding future-telling skills. We predicted...
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On Sunday, March 19, TD Garden hosts six MIAA hockey state championship games — four with the boys and two with the girls. In these projections, we’ll be predicting the boys' side of things.
Before we start, let’s take a look back at our outstanding future-telling skills.
We predicted every game throughout the NEPSAC playoffs. Jeff Cox went 14-7 overall, while Evan Marinofsky posted a record of 13-8. Both records would’ve been better had NEPSAC championship day not happened (Marinofsky went 1-2, while Cox went 0-3). But let’s pretend that didn’t happen.
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Here’s the full schedule for MIAA championship day:
9 a.m.: No. 2 Duxbury vs. No. 4 Canton (D2 girls)
11 a.m.: No. 3 Canton vs. No. 8 Hopkinton (D2 boys)
1 p.m.: No. 4 Pope Francis vs. No. 7 Xaverian (D1 boys)
7:30 p.m.: No. 1 St. Mary’s vs. No. 3 Shrewsbury (D1 girls)
Let's dive into predictions.
Division 1: No. 4 Pope Francis vs. No. 7 Xaverian
Cox: This matchup epitomizes the old adage that anything can happen in single-elimination, playoff hockey. Both teams got here with 1-0 wins in the state semifinals. Pope Francis knocked off defending champion and favorite St. John's Prep while Xaverian edged Reading in overtime. Pope Francis sophomore left wing CJ Watroba is the best skater in the game, but the ultimate difference maker is on the Xaverian side. Junior goaltender Cole Pouliot-Porter helps coach Dave Spinale and his Hawks get over the hump.
Marinofsky: Credit to Pope Francis for sneaking past No. 1 St. John's Prep. Pouliot-Porter is unstoppable right now. The Cardinals, led by goalie Nick Ritchie, held the SJP offense scoreless and got a shot to trickle into the net at the other end. However, nothing is better than a hot goalie this time of year and Pouliot-Porter fits that description. He's only allowed four goals in three games to get here and makes it hard to pick against Xaverian.
Prediction: Xaverian wins, 3-1.
Division 2: No. 3 Canton vs. No. 8 Hopkinton
Cox: This is a battle between a high-octane offense and a defensive juggernaut. Senior Pavit Mehra and freshman Cam MacPherson are the catalysts for the Hopkinton offense while sophomore goaltender Colin Davis does his best impersonation of a brick wall in the Canton net. Canton has been one of the most successful programs in Division 2 for several years now under the leadership of Brian Shuman.
Prediction: Hopkinton's Cinderella run continues with a 4-2 win.
Marinofsky: I love a Cinderella run, and that's what Hopkinton is on right now. But Canton has taken care of business so far. It took until its semifinal game for Canton even to allow a goal. That means Davis has allowed one goal in four games to get to TD Garden.
Prediction: Canton wins, 4-1.
Division 3: No. 1 Scituate vs. No. 11 Nashoba
Cox: Scituate made it to TD Garden, as expected. Its opponent is the surprising underdog, Nashoba Regional. Teagan Pratt and James Sullivan lead the Scituate offense while Nashoba Regional is boosted by defenseman Dillon Lowe.
Prediction:Scituate wins one for the favorites. Sailors prevail by a score of 3-1.
Marinofsky: Nashoba has had quite the ride to get here. Two of Nashoba's four postseason games have needed overtime, with one going all the way to a second extra frame. It's hard to imagine Nashoba can hold Scituate off the scoreboard. The top seed has outscored opponents 18-5 to get to TD Garden.
Prediction: Scituate wins, 5-2.
Division 4: No. 1 Norwell vs. No. 2 Sandwich
Cox: This is the only division that went chalk for the most part. The top two seeds advanced to the final. Sandwich is looking to repeat. With big-time forwards Colin McIver and Chris Cardillo and star goaltender Mitchell Norkevicius back, the Blue Knights have a great chance to make it back-to-back. Standing in the way is a Norwell team that is led by junior forward Quinn Simmons and a pair of seniors, Austin Shea and Tim Ward.
Prediction: Admittedly, I know more about Sandwich, but it's hard to bet against Norkevicius and the defending champs. Blue Knights win, 3-2.
Marinofsky: Both of these teams enter Sunday's championship having torched the competition to get there. Norwell has outscored opponents 22-6, while Sandwich has outscored the opposition 17-2. So...yeah. Two best teams in Division 4 by far. Even though Sandwich won last year and has the experience, I'm thinking Norwell will have something to say about it.
Prediction: Norwell wins, 3-2, in overtime.
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Division 1: No. 4 Pope Francis vs. No. 7 Xaverian
