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By Chris Richardson • HNIB News
The puck has officially dropped on the Massachusetts Division 2 hockey season and the gloves are off. Most of the top teams from this year's pre-season rankings have got off to hot starts, as expected. Wilmington is unbeaten, and Peabody, Canton, and Franklin have only lost once. Tewksbury is also unbeaten.
Other teams, however, have stumbled out of the gates and have been replaced by up-and-coming, younger teams. Mansfield has only lost once and is showing no signs of slowing down, while a hungry Oliver Ames squad has quietly moved into the top eight. The tournament race has certainly begun to take shape, but any team at any given time can either go on a tear or lose games in bunches. For now though, someone needs to try to stop the undefeated juggernauts Wilmington and Tewksbury, who lead off the new Mass Division 2 Top 20 Poll.
Wilmington remains the number one team at this point in the season, and they also remain unbeaten overall. Scoring has been an epidemic on this team, led by the likes of Jared Ravagni, Ed Barrasso, Brian Hurley, and Colin Foley. It's not necessarily the offensive power that makes these Wildcats such a strong team though. Goaltender Zach Rosa has been able to stand on his head when Wilmington gets overwhelmed in their own zone. His timely saves and competitiveness has and will continue to keep the Wildcats in games as well as preserve leads.
The stellar play of netminder Derek Savage, along with the strong offensive bent has #2 Peabody playing outstanding hockey. If not for a one-game lapse against non league opponent Concord Carlisle, this team would also be undefeated. If Andrew Bucci's line continues to produce and receive secondary scoring from the rest of the team you can punch their ticket for a legitimate title run.
How could we overlook perennially contending Tewksbury? The Redmen join Wilmington as the only other unbeaten division 2 team and steal the number three spot in the rankings. Their defense and goaltending has been the best in the league. Tewksbury has only given up five goals the entire season while scoring 42. That puts them at an absurd plus 37 in that department. Credit Dan Rose, Derek Doherty, and company for the firepower.
Though #4 Newburyport has lost two games it seems that the defending champs have had a tough schedule so far, battling tough teams like Wilmington and Masco in the early going. Junior goalie Anthony Federico has been solid so far, and if he continues to develop as the season wears on, expect to see snipers Kyle McElroy and Derek Freeman leading this team on a sizeable winning streak.
Senior netminder Jon Donaruma is off to an impressive start for #5 Canton, allowing just six goals on the season as he takes over as the starter for the first time. The team's three conference wins are a highlight to build upon, and they will have bunches of games coming up, as two contests were postponed already. The emergence of scoring threat Kevin Rooney compliments the rock-solid defense of blue-line captain Matt Buckley and keeps the Bulldogs in the top 5.
Mansfield has won only two league games, however they have only lost one, and look poised to do more damage. Andy Anastos has provided some offensive spark to supplement senior captain Donny Washburn. The squad's plus 36 goals for/against stat exhibits the shutdown defense that the heavy-hitting David Roche is bringing to each game. If goaltender Ryan Murphy continues to play well they will be a team that no one looks forward to playing in the tourney.
Winthrop goaltender Pat Feeley is "feeling it," posting four shutouts already. His goals allowed sits at a measly seven through eight games. This team is playing very well defensively, led by Nick Clewer, and has scored timely goals thus far. In the second half of the season they will look to finish even stronger than they have started and may become a legitimate threat to knock off some of the top teams.
#8 Franklin has come out battling again this year, and recently drubbed rival King Phillip in a game that saw 47 penalty minutes accumulated between the clubs. Coach Chris Spillane's Panthers are showing that they are a physical, hungry team. Junior defenseman Alex Taddeo has been scoring as well as playing shutdown defense, high scoring forward Joe Fernandes is having a big year, and goalie Corey Clermont has recorded two shutouts in his last two games.
Nauset has only lost twice so far this season, and their dynamic offense led by Troy and Dean Niezgoda has certainly scored its fair share of goals early. The big story for them though is the play of tandem goaltenders Jake Berry and Cam Trudeau who have stifled the opponent's attack in most games this season. Should they be able to continue that success, the wins will keep coming for this squad.
Five league wins against some of the upper echelon teams of Division 2 has Masconomet building strength and experience in the early going this season for a tourney run. Modestly ranked at number ten here, the Chieftains could very well jump up the charts if they keep playing like they have been. Ryan Dooley and Vincent Zingarelli are potting goals regularly, and Masco has beaten the likes of league teams Lynnfield and North Reading, and also has a non-league decision of Martha's Vineyard.
The Oliver Ames Tigers scale the rankings to number 11 after starting out in the 20th and final spot in the season outlook. They have scratched and clawed their way to an impressive six victories through their first nine games. Goalie David Rapp has looked pretty sharp, recording two shutouts thus far, and Derek Johnson started the season off with a hat-trick. Matt Bissonette and Bill Podolski have also contributed.
#12 Lincoln-Sudbury has taken a bit of a hit in the rankings. Though they have recorded four wins, coach Peter Elenbaas says they are still looking to put together a consistent effort each night. Henry Fairbairn has been scoring in bunches as well as setting up his teammates, as has Colin DeFrancesco. If they can find some more offense and bear down defensively, as they are only at a +1 goals for/against average, their record should improve.
#13 Lynnfield has done a lot of battling against league teams in their first few games and come out with a winning record. The story for them, as expected, has been the stellar play of standout goalie Craig Cataldo. His acrobatic, timely saves have and will keep Lynnfield in games this year. The defense has also played a sound game in front of him - Peter Nutile and Nick Turner have provided some consistency. Andrew Garbino has been putting pucks in the net. These Pioneers may be exploring deeper into the state tourney come February and March.
Plymouth South has got off to a great start with four wins, flying under the radar as a team to beat. Though they have not played as many games as other teams, particularly in their own conference, they have impressed nonetheless. Look for forward Rick Duddy to continue to find the scoresheet.
Kyle Larson has come out of the gates with both guns shooting as he has amassed 15 points through just 7 games for #15 Danvers. In the crease, goaltender Mike Allain has also provided stability for the Falcons. D.J. Yost has also looked good offensively. They will continue to beat good teams and should definitely make the tourney.
Coyle-Cassidy has lost three games early, dropping the Warriors in the rankings. However, they have won both of their league contests and seem poised to go on a winning streak any time now. After making it all the way to the Divison 2 South Finals last season, these Warriors have the experience to win multiple games in the tourney. They will most likely make the tournament again this year, and if they do, they will definitely make some moves.
Methuen has to be unhappy with their three ties thus far, as each game is critical to their goal of reaching the tournament and advancing in the playoffs. However, their stingy defense and goaltending must be credited with keeping them in these close games and preventing losses. If they find some offensive spark, other teams will notice these guys very quickly.
A disappointing start has Revere in the 18th spot. The Patriots have already lost one more game than they did through the entire season last year. Revere needs star forward Jay Sasso and company to start creating more chances offensively, and the defense must tighten up in front of goalie Nick Dimare.
The grit and two-way play of captains Jameson Wood and Dan Ahlstedt can only get Plymouth North so far if they do not have accompanying offensive weapons and some stability in the crease. They will need their youngsters to start contributing fast in order to start winning more games.
#20 Watertown has not had a problem potting goals so far in this season, and can credit most of their wins to this strength. Senior forward Brian Dupuis has been on a torrid scoring tear, averaging over a goal per game. Alex Hayek and Justin Pelletier have both been good enough to win between the pipes for Watertown. Look for them to make Some moves in the rankings.
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