Click to see photos from the game
Catholic Memorial clinched the Catholic Conference last night on the strength of a 5-1 victory over BC High in the Edward M. Wright, M.D. Memorial Game.
The Knights got a goal and an assist from senior captain Derek Colucci who won the games MVP Award, as well as a stellar performance from junior goaltender Tommy Knox.
“The kids played very well today,” CM coach Bill Hanson said. “BC High competed real hard, but we have a really good team right now and they are just tough to play against.”
Colucci got an assist on the first tally of the game, helping fellow captain Tony Starett find the back of the net at the 4:21 mark of the first period.
The Knights controlled the period, and were able to add one more, late in the frame, when Shane Dorsey buried a wrist shot from the left circle.
“We came out hard, it was a big game for us,” Colucci said. “We accomplished our first goal tonight by winning the conference, now we can focus on the state championship.”
BC High controlled much of the tempo through the second period, thanks in large part to a parade of CM players heading to the box.
“We have been doing that all year,” Hanson said. “We are taking lazy penalties, hooking and tripping. Our special teams has been terrific and that has helped a lot.”
Knox shined brightest in the second period where he stopped all seven shots he faced, including holding the fort during a 40 second 5-on-3 for the Eagles.
With less than a minute remaining in the period, CM’s Vinny Repucci scored the prettiest goal of the night when he picked up a Marc Hetnik drop pass at the end of a 4-on-2 rush and blasted a one-timer past BC High goalie Joe Young.
Colucci struck for his goal while CM was killing yet another penalty early in the third. He stole the puck from a BC defender as he tried to start a break out and raced in alone faking to the forehand before slipping a backhander along the ice under Young.
BC High struck back with a shorthanded tally of their own at the 6:32 mark of the third when Andrew White beat Knox high on the glove side.
With just over a minute to play, CM added icing to the cake on the strength of a Chris Stathopoulous goal, making the final 5-1.
CM now faces St. John’s Prep on Monday in their final Catholic Conference game, while the Eagles play their final regular season game at Coyle & Cassidy on Wednesday night.
Blades of Steel 