GROTON, Mass. — Belmont Hill is off to a 2-0-1 start, and after watching them prevail over Lawrence Academy by a 3-1 score on Saturday at Grant Rink, it is not difficult to see why they are one of New England Hockey Journal’s top-10 teams in the preseason, plus week 1 power rankings. The visitors took a 3-1 victory in a game that went down to the wire but was ultimately decided late in the final frame.
The Sextants have a talented, balanced and experienced team, led by seniors Will Killoran (Charlestown, Mass.) on the backend, with senior forwards Drew Blackwell (Haverhill, Mass.) and Braden Reilly (Reading, Mass.) comprising a formidable top line with junior James Fisher (Wilmington, Mass.). Junior defender Matthew Biotti (Cambridge, Mass.) is coming on as well, showing impressive size and two-way game.
Lawrence Academy, while not having the same kind of talent and depth, skated hard and got an excellent performance in net from Vincent Lamberti. The Spartans played hard and kept the game close, but despite some close looks on a late power play trailing 2-1, couldn’t find the equalizer, dropping to 0-2 after the second week of prep play.
After a scoreless first period, Fisher opened scoring early in the second frame when he got behind the Lawrence Academy defense, took a long lead pass from Biotti and skated in alone, freezing Lamberti on a deke then roofing a backhand shot.
In the final seven minutes of the third period, with Belmont Hill still holding a 1-0 lead, they ended up with an extended 5-on-3 advantage on two separate penalty calls. Just as the Spartans killed the first one, sophomore Teddy Stiga (Sudbury, Mass.) smoked a one-timer through traffic and into the back of the net to make it 2-0 and seemingly put it out of reach.
Lawrence Academy newcomer Daniel Markevych made things interesting when he got a step on the defense, went straight to the net and wired a laser into the net up high, beating Sam Scopa (Lexington, Mass.) to make it 2-1.
The Spartans got a late power-play chance in the final two minutes, and Markevych won a key faceoff in the offensive zone with a minute left, but the home team could not solve Scopa again. An empty-net goal as time expired made it a 3-1 final of a hard-fought game. Scopa registered the win in net for Belmont Hill.
Brian Phinney’s defense did a good job of slowing the LA attack through the neutral zone and clogged up the middle of their defensive zone, not allowing the Spartans to get pucks to the high danger areas. Belmont Hill played a structured, disciplined game. Only Lamberti’s heroics in net kept the contest from getting out of hand early on.
Belmont Hill was still without the services of big scoring forward Ronan O'Donnell (Fairfield, Conn.), who has yet to appear since the start of the new season.
NHL draft watch
James Fisher
Belmont Hill, 4/28/04, RW, right shot, 6-3/180
NCAA commit: Northeastern
Of all the viewings of Fisher going back to the summer prep league, this was his best performance, and he’s had some good ones. He scored a highlight-reel goal that showcased good awareness to sneak behind the LA defense, separation speed and slick hands to bury the puck. However, as good as his goal was, the best aspect of Fisher’s play was his physicality and engagement away from the puck. He finished his hits, made himself available to linemates when he didn’t have the puck and was diligent in getting back to his own end and keeping the opposition contained for the most part. With his combination of size, power and finesse, if he can bottle this performance and carry it with him going forward, he’ll impress the many NHL scouts who are watching. As it stands, he’s already generating some decent buzz. He needs to keep the momentum going forward and not drift into inconsistency, though. The pro tools are readily apparent.
Young guns make mark
Teddy Stiga
Belmont Hill, 4/5/06, LW, left shot, 5-9/160
He played the game with good skill, intelligence and poise. The challenge for him at times is to match his pace with his prodigious talent, but there is no denying that Stiga is one of the region’s very best players from the ’06 birth year. With Team USA observing his play, he has not disappointed and made a big-time play to blast the pass home for the winning power-play strike. He can back defenders up with his speed and ability to jitterbug with the puck to beat defenders 1-on-1 or smartly chip pucks off the wall and skate past them into space. He sees the ice very well and is not afraid to make advanced plays into traffic. Enjoy watching him in prep this season, because he’s bound for bigger things that will take him away from New England.
Daniel Markevych
Lawrence Academy, 2/2/05, C, left shot, 5-10/175
Ukrainian import via Toronto has a lot of skill and is still finding his game after leaving home. Like everyone in Ontario, the former Mississauga Reps star missed all of the 2020-21 season when the government shut down hockey across the province due to COVID. Watching him with Stiga on the Junior Eagles in fall play, you could see the offensive dimension to his game right away as he handles the puck deftly and can rip shots on net with a blurry release and the instincts to recognize shooting lanes. He has room to improve his foot speed, and will generate more power in his elongated stride as he gets stronger and adds mass to his lower trunk. His all-around game is improving, and though he lost a lot of draws in the circle, as the game went on, he won some crucial face-offs in the final minutes. As he gets more settled and comfortable, watch for LA to lean on him to drive plays offensively at even strength and with the man advantage.
Others of note
Matthew Biotti
Belmont Hill, 8/27/04, D, right shot, 6-4/181
NCAA commit: Harvard
Moves well along the point with some natural fluidity that is impressive for being so tall and long. His long lead pass through a maze of sticks in the neutral zone to spring Fisher for the breakaway goal early in the second was hard and right on target. He held his gaps well, didn’t get to running around in his own end, and smoothly transitioned from defense to offense throughout the game while logging a lot of minutes. He’s raw, but he could get on some NHL radars if he keeps playing with authority on both sides of the puck.
Vincent Lamberti
Lawrence Academy, 2/15/04, G, catches left, 5-10/174
Californian lacks ideal size for the position but competed hard and stood on his head at times. He was beaten by a superb skill play by Fisher, then gave up Stiga’s one-timer, but also kept his team in it by tracking pucks, squaring up and making some tough saves. It wasn’t enough to pull off the upset, but he never stopped battling. He’ll attract some college notice if he continues to stop pucks and play with that kind of effort each night. He looks like he could become a very good Division 3 goaltender in time, but in this game, he was a real difference maker for the Spartans.
Sam Scopa
Belmont Hill, 1/10/05, G, catches left, 6-0/172
Wasn’t tested much early, but had to be sharp at key times, adjusting to several high tips and deflections to keep the puck out of his net. Although he lost the shutout bid late, he showed no bad body language and simply reset. When the Spartans had a power play and got the puck through traffic to tie the game, he calmly steered the shot into the corner, which eventually led to it being cleared out of the zone to kill more clock. Scopa’s puck tracking, ability to read/anticipate and compete are his best assets, but his poise and mental toughness also serve him well. Add it all up, and he’s one of the most consistently effective goalies in New England at any birth year.
Daniel Markham
Belmont Hill, 5/13/04, C, left shot, 6-0/165
Winchester, Mass. native was noticeable for his smooth skating, detailed two-way game and effort. He did little things like block shots and showed the ability to counterattack with pace when he forced turnovers or his club got possession of the puck.
Shawn Leary
Lawrence Academy, 5/12/05, D, right shot, 6-0/194
Athletic defenseman loves to grab the puck and go. He was able to kickstart the Spartans’ transition to attack on several occasions and likes to take the puck through traffic, using his feet to escape danger or gain the offensive zone cleanly. Would like to see him move pucks faster and use his teammates more effectively in certain situations. If he can simplify his approach and opt for higher percentage decisions, the attributes are there for him to take full advantage of his natural talent.
