BELMONT, Mass. — In what was the best goaltending duel of the young season, Belmont Hill and Nobles skated to a 1-1 draw on Saturday afternoon at the Jordan Athletic Center. Belmont Hill sophomore Sam Scopa (Lexington, Mass.) and Nobles freshman Thatcher Bernstein (Brookline, Mass.) were sharp as each turned aside all but one shot they faced.
After a scoreless first period, Nobles senior defenseman Aidan Lyons (Brookline, Mass.) got the scoring started. Lyons picked up the puck near his own blue line, made a few guys miss as he gained entry into the attacking zone, then rocketed a shot from just inside the blue line that beat Scopa up high.
The hosts evened the score in the third period when the second line potted a goal. Junior right wing Dane Carter (Concord, Mass.) roofed a shot from the left wing circle after sophomore center Jake McManus (Winthrop, Mass.) and freshman left wing Teddy Stiga (Sudbury, Mass.) had combined for a nice cycle play below the dots.
This was a fun game to watch. There was great intensity on the ice with physical play as you;d expect in a rivalry game between two ISL powers. The referees did a great job, letting the two teams play. It was one of the best-officiated games I’ve seen in a long time. The balcony was packed shoulder-to-shoulder with an additional student section down below.
While neither team is at the level of Salisbury or Kimball Union, Saturday afternoon proved that both belong in the discussion for that next tier of teams vying for a spot in the Elite 8 Tournament. There were a handful of definitive Division 1 players, but there were also another handful of seniors who could play at the Division 3 level.
A dozen NHL scouts were in attendance to watch the battle within the game between Nobles junior center Ben MacDonald (Weston, Mass.) and Belmont Hill junior right wing James Fisher (Wilmington, Mass.). While neither found the score sheet, there was a clear winner when it came to which 2022 NHL draft prospect shined more on Saturday afternoon.
2022 NHL draft prospects
James Fisher
Belmont Hill, 4/28/04, RW, right shot, 6-2/170
NCAA commit: Northeastern
Fisher didn’t score, but he was consistently noticeable throughout the game. By my unofficial count, he had 10 to 12 shots on goal. A few of those shots really exemplified how good his release is and how hard he can shoot the puck. One of his best shifts in the game came with two or so minutes left in the first period. He gained the zone on the right wing and hammered a shot on net. He hunted his own rebound, recovered the puck, and got it back out front for a good chance for one of his linemates. The Wilmington, Mass., native played a north-south power forward game. He was physical when needed and won a few 50/50 puck battles by outmuscling his opponents. If truly nitpicking, I’d probably like to see him take a few more of those chances to the net instead of shooting it from the high slot or the circles. Between his skating, shot, puck possession and physical play, he proved he’s draft worthy on Saturday afternoon. Based on play in this game, I’d peg him at a third or fourth round pick.
Ben MacDonald
Nobles, 2/24/04, C, left shot, 6-0/175
NCAA commit: Harvard
I’ve always liked MacDonald and been impressed with the elevation in his skill set or over the past 18 months. The Weston, Mass., native has always been a smart, cerebral two-way forward, but he’s become more dynamic in terms of his skating and puck skills. That being said, Saturday wasn’t his best. He didn’t have the puck much at all in the first two periods. I think he got a little frustrated as the game went along, but I did like that he showed a little grit and anger a few times in scrums. He’s out there in all situations for Nobles and better games are likely ahead of him. He’s still a draft pick in my opinion, but he needs to be more dominant at this level for the remainder of the season.
Uncommitted standouts
Sam Scopa
Belmont Hill, 1/10/05, G, catches left, 6-0/172
Scopa was up to his usual tricks in this game. Stating the obvious, he only allowed one goal and it was a snipe by Lyons after he made a few Belmont Hill defenders look foolish. In typical fashion, the Lexington, Mass., native was very good at rebound control. I might have missed one or two, but for the most part, he ate pucks and didn’t give Nobles any second chances. Scopa stays calm and composed in the crease, moves well and proved once again why he’s one of the top three goaltenders in prep hockey.
Teddy Stiga
Belmont Hill, 4/5/06, LW, left shot, 5-8/150
Stiga, an `06 playing prep hockey, was going up against quite a few defenders who were three years older than him on Saturday. While he wasn’t dominant, he was very good and had three or four flashes of brilliance. His skating and speed are obviously his attributes that allow him to be so good. His speed on the forecheck forced a couple of turnovers. He made a big time play on zone entry in the second period, sliding a pass over to a linemate for a great look on an odd man rush. He had an assist on the only Belmont Hill goal. He’s slick and crafty and looks to be primed to get better over the coming years. In my opinion, he’s a lock for the NTDP and should be able to pick any college he wants in 20 months.
Will Killoran
Belmont Hill, 1/30/03, D, right shot, 6-3/195
I’ve always liked Killoran for his physical play and ability to be a shutdown defender. He did that again on Saturday. The Charlestown, Mass., native had two plays in particular that stood out. He stopped a rush late in the first period by closing and taking away time and space with a clean hit. Later in the game, he knocked a Nobles player to the ground by just holding his ground in the neutral zone. His boots are heavy, but his skating has gotten better. He’s going to have to prove his skating merits Division 1 attention at the junior level, but he’s a player to keep an eye on over the next two-plus seasons.
Aidan Lyons
Nobles, 2/26/03, D, left shot, 5-10/175
Lyons has a reputation of helping out both teams with some great offensive plays and some turnovers. On Saturday, he definitely limited his mistakes and made a game-changing play for the visitors. His second period goal showcased his footwork, agility, and skill. I also liked his patience and footwork on the offensive blue line as he walked to the middle and got some shots through from the point a few times. The Brookline, Mass., native is a shoe-in for NESCAC coaches, but he could be a fit in Division 1 at a place like Brown, Holy Cross or St. Lawrence, if he reels it in and simplifies his game like he did Saturday.
Thatcher Bernstein
Nobles, 7/17/06, G, catches left, 6-3/200
Bernstein was up to the task in this goaltender duel with Scopa. The Brookline, Mass., native has good size, stays fairly quiet in net, and cuts down on shooters’ angles. He’ll have to get better at rebound control going forward as he let out a few juicy ones. For a young freshman playing in his first big prep hockey game, he got the job done. Besides Ryder Shea, he’s probably the best `06 goaltender from New England.
Ben Nakata
Nobles, 8/30/06, C, left shot, 5-10/165
Nakata centers the third line for Brian Day’s club, but he’s probably the second best guy down the middle on the team. He didn’t have any big time positive plays, but he had the puck a few times and certainly wasn’t out of place. The West Barnstable, Mass., native is a smart, two-way forward who can slow the game down and he lets the play come to him. Nakata will only get better as he grows and gets more comfortable at this level.
Joe Mense
Nobles, 7/21/06, D, right shot, 6-1/190
Mense has good size and has upside as a defensive defenseman. As expected for a young defenseman, he had his ups and downs in this game. When he kept it simple and moved pucks north quickly, he was good. His skating looks improved and he still brought a physical aspect to the game.
Belmont Hill Lines
Markham - Reilly - Fisher
Stiga - McManus - Carter
Cave - Cummings - Daignault
Killoran - Biotti
Bosco - Goguen
Kilcoyne - Doolan
Verville
Scopa
Nobles lines
Tacelli - MacDonald - Haxton
Norton - Canavan - Tasca
Davidson - Nakata - O’Leary
Szpak - xx - Cox
Lyons - Friedman
Tully - Mense
Grant - Brophy
Bernstein
