Games of the Week - 3/12
The Breakdown:
Hockey
#4 Oliver Ames vs. #7 Franklin, Tuesday, 5:00 - Gallo Arena
A question & answer preview with HockomockSports.com Managing Editor Josh Perry
1. What has been the key for Franklin to get to this point in the tournament?
The Panthers have shown resiliency to come from behind in each of their three games thus far in the tournament, including from three goals down against two seed Martha’s Vineyard in the quarterfinals. The team’s senior leadership and the experience of having been to the Garden each of the last two years, gives the Panthers a deserved level of confidence that no other team in D2 South shares.
Cam Curley has been outstanding in the tournament, but what makes the Panthers difficult to game plan for and to play against is that they get contributions from throughout the roster. Whether it was the game-winning goal of sophomore Alec Borkowski in the semifinal or Aiden Isberg scoring in overtime to beat the Vineyard, Franklin has had a different star in every game. That depth has been the Panthers biggest strength this season and allowed them to win games when the stars are not playing great.
That depth will be tested against OA as Franklin is banged up. Senior forward Mike Patjane is clearly hobbled by a high ankle sprain and junior Kyle Powers, arguably the team’s top defenseman, was injured in the game against Mansfield.
2. What has been the key for Oliver Ames to get to this point in the tournament?
I could get away with just saying Jimmy Tierney and moving on to the next question, but there is more to the Tigers than just their talented goalie. The key for Oliver Ames has been getting the opening goal. OA is not a team built to chase the game. They keep things close to the vest and are generally more conservative than other Hockomock teams, which limits the amount of chances that the Tigers create (at least relative to most games in the Hock). This is not a team with defensemen carrying the puck the length of the ice or consistently creating odd man rushes (like the entire Mansfield/Franklin semifinal for instance). The focus is always on keeping other teams off the board. If the game is low scoring, Oliver Ames will be in its comfort zone.
This is where Tierney plays such an important role. Take the game against Coyle. OA had three defensive breakdowns in the first period against the Warriors, who are a really good team too by the way, and Tierney came up big on all three to keep the game scoreless. In the second period, OA dominated and it kept that momentum right to the end of the game. Who knows how different things might have been if Tierney did not pull off those early stops?
The longer that the Tigers keep the lead (or keep the game scoreless), the more frustrated their opponents get, the more gaps open up for OA to exploit, and the more teams start playing into their hands by throwing pucks at the net rather than trying to create quality chances.
3. What kind of game can we expect on Tuesday at Gallo?
In a word - tense.
I expect a game similar to the semifinal that OA played a week ago against Canton. Franklin, by Coach Spillane’s own admission, is not a “smashmouth” team and will try to pass and skate around the physical play of Oliver Ames. Franklin believes that it has the firepower to get goals, while OA certainly believes it has the defensive ability to keep the Panthers away from the crease where so many of their goals are created. Franklin will try to get as many shots on Tierney as possible, while the Tigers will try to keep those shots clean and from the outside.
This is a game that should come right down to the final minutes, like every other big game between Hockomock teams in D2 this season. Oliver Ames likes to play from the lead and the Panthers have shown the ability to come from behind, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see some late drama. After every tournament game so far, coaches talk about heart problems and not being able to breathe until the final whistle. I think that will continue on Tuesday.
4. Who are people going to be talking about after this game?
Jimmy Tierney.
Win or lose, he has been the breakout star of the postseason. It’s no secret for those that follow the Hockomock that he is a star, but now Tierney is impressing a much broader audience and playing his best on the biggest stage. Canton head coach Brian Shuman said that Tierney gives other teams “nightmares.” OA coach Sullivan said that his aim is to get three goals, and once they do he can relax, because he knows that Tierney will not get beaten that many times. As good as the goalies in the Hockomock League are, including Franklin’s Devon Maloof, no other goalie strikes that much fear in his opponents and inspires that much confidence in his coach and teammates. Regardless of the outcome, people are going to be talking about Tierney for at least another two years.
5. Both teams have made it this far, but who has the best chance to win the D2 South Final?
This is a really difficult question to answer. When the bracket was release, these were the teams that almost everyone wanted to avoid.
Franklin is in its third consecutive sectional final and it won each of the last two. That type of experience breeds the confidence that no deficit is too big and no opponent is too tough. The consistent success of the Franklin program has this team confident that it can win any game, whether the Panthers are at their best or not. Franklin really wants a rematch with Wilmington at the Garden and it’s hard to argue against the Panthers’ track record.
OA might not have the experience (Coach Sullivan remarked that he thinks the last time that the Tigers made it this far was the 1980’s), but they are playing great hockey and have gone through a much tougher route (based on the quality of the opposition) to the final with wins over Coyle and top seed Canton. What makes OA so difficult is its ability to impose its style on opponents. The Tigers have been able to take away other teams’ strengths without having to drastically alter what they do best. OA games have been different than any other in the D2 tournament because few teams hit as hard (and as frequently) and stay as disciplined defensively as the Tigers.
In the end, OA has the hot goaltender. Maloof is capable of amazing saves too, but he also has the occasional bad rebound or is slightly off in his positioning. Tierney has been almost unbeatable, so slightest of edges to the Tigers.
Boys Basketball
#1 Mansfield vs. #4 Central Catholic, Tuesday, 7:45 - TD Garden
A question and answer preview with ESPNBoston High School's Christian Bradley.
1. What has been the key for Central Catholic to get to this point in the tournament?
Defense and rebounding. I don't believe there is a forward in the state who can keep Joel Barroa off the glass. Lucas Hammel is a great, great on-ball defender who can make plays for Tyler Nelson and Barroa--Hammel does all the little things that it takes for the team to win, a true coaches son.
2. What can Mansfield expect from Central Catholic on Tuesday at the TD Garden?
Rick Nault loves to press, and I can't see this game being any different. That being said though, given the very high-IQ's of Mansfield top 8 guys, I can't see a full court press hurting them at all. Mansfield can also expect a big game from Tyler Nelson, especially with Doug Gemmell and Nick Cambio out. Nelson has gone from a great shooter last year to one of the state's best scorers this year, I love his poise and his fearless mentality.
3. What will Central Catholic do that will give Mansfield trouble?
Central is still going to work the ball inside, Barroa and Aaron Hall are going to give Mansfield problems inside, and I really think that's going to expose them. The one definite advantage Central might have is their toughness in the post and their ability to rebound.
4. What will Mansfield do that will give Central Catholic trouble?
Shooting. Mansfield has shot the lights out as of late, and in the blink of an eye they have the ability to build a double-digit lead on anybody. If Central comes out flat the first 5 minutes of the game, then forget it, they will have already given up too much ground to come back--that's how good this Mansfield team is.
5. Both teams have made it this far, but who has the best chance to play in the D1 State Finals?
I like Central to win the state championship. They've clearly shown that injuries don't effect them, as they've played some of their best basketball of the season over the course of the last two weeks. Those kids play with an incredible intensity.
#3 Milford vs. #2 Putnam, Tuesday, 7:45 - DCU Center
A question and answer preview with ESPNBoston High School Editor Brendan Hall.
1. What has been the key for Putnam to get to this point in the tournament?
Rebounding, rebounding, rebounding. Oh, and a little bit of defense too. The Beavers have been allowing just over 46 points per game this tournament, but it all starts down low with KayJuan Bynum, who is both their leading scorer (16.3 ppg) and rebounder. Bynum is committed to American International College as a linebacker, and he brings that football mentality to the glass.
2. What can Milford expect from Putnam on Tuesday at the DCU Center?
Expect a very physical squad, that prides itself on toughness. The Beavers have been playing with a chip on their shoulder all season long. First, they were left out of our preseason Top 25. Then, they draw the No. 2 seed after finishing with the best record in Western Mass (19-1). Then we all predicted Springfield Central to win the district, and Putnam went out and clobbered them in the D1 West Final anyways.
They can also play fast. Giving the Beavers that identity on the perimeter have been a quartet of guards – David Murrell, Jonathan Garcia and Dizel Wright. Again, size is at a premium with these guys, but everything starts in the front with the 6-foot-3 Bynum.
3. What will Putnam do that will give Milford trouble?
I expect Putnam come out firing in the first few minutes, trapping and trying to get any advantage they can defending. Like I said, these guys play with a chip on their shoulder. That’s especially true on the boards, where the Hawks are going to have to match physicality. Milford has the height advantage, but Putnam has some serious muscle.
4. What will Milford do that will give Putnam trouble?
The key here is tempo. West Springfield delivered Putnam its lone loss of the season, and they did it with a talented backcourt led by All-State contender Riyadh Asad. A big part of Milford’s comeback over Wachusett was the switch in the press, and how it gave the Mountaineers fits trying to bring the ball over half-court. If they can force some turnovers early for some quick transition baskets, this one could get interesting.
5. Both teams have made it this far, but who has the best chance to play in the D1 State Finals?
I have to go with Putnam. They are an underdog’s underdog, despite what the record suggests, and they have been on a tear the last month and a half. One of the more underappreciated teams in the state. Between last year’s Springfield Central juggernaut and this year’s Beavers, Springfield area basketball is coming back.
#4 Oliver Ames vs. #7 Franklin, Tuesday, 5:00 - Gallo Arena
A question & answer preview with HockomockSports.com Managing Editor Josh Perry
1. What has been the key for Franklin to get to this point in the tournament?
The Panthers have shown resiliency to come from behind in each of their three games thus far in the tournament, including from three goals down against two seed Martha’s Vineyard in the quarterfinals. The team’s senior leadership and the experience of having been to the Garden each of the last two years, gives the Panthers a deserved level of confidence that no other team in D2 South shares.
Cam Curley has been outstanding in the tournament, but what makes the Panthers difficult to game plan for and to play against is that they get contributions from throughout the roster. Whether it was the game-winning goal of sophomore Alec Borkowski in the semifinal or Aiden Isberg scoring in overtime to beat the Vineyard, Franklin has had a different star in every game. That depth has been the Panthers biggest strength this season and allowed them to win games when the stars are not playing great.
That depth will be tested against OA as Franklin is banged up. Senior forward Mike Patjane is clearly hobbled by a high ankle sprain and junior Kyle Powers, arguably the team’s top defenseman, was injured in the game against Mansfield.
2. What has been the key for Oliver Ames to get to this point in the tournament?
I could get away with just saying Jimmy Tierney and moving on to the next question, but there is more to the Tigers than just their talented goalie. The key for Oliver Ames has been getting the opening goal. OA is not a team built to chase the game. They keep things close to the vest and are generally more conservative than other Hockomock teams, which limits the amount of chances that the Tigers create (at least relative to most games in the Hock). This is not a team with defensemen carrying the puck the length of the ice or consistently creating odd man rushes (like the entire Mansfield/Franklin semifinal for instance). The focus is always on keeping other teams off the board. If the game is low scoring, Oliver Ames will be in its comfort zone.
This is where Tierney plays such an important role. Take the game against Coyle. OA had three defensive breakdowns in the first period against the Warriors, who are a really good team too by the way, and Tierney came up big on all three to keep the game scoreless. In the second period, OA dominated and it kept that momentum right to the end of the game. Who knows how different things might have been if Tierney did not pull off those early stops?
The longer that the Tigers keep the lead (or keep the game scoreless), the more frustrated their opponents get, the more gaps open up for OA to exploit, and the more teams start playing into their hands by throwing pucks at the net rather than trying to create quality chances.
3. What kind of game can we expect on Tuesday at Gallo?
In a word - tense.
I expect a game similar to the semifinal that OA played a week ago against Canton. Franklin, by Coach Spillane’s own admission, is not a “smashmouth” team and will try to pass and skate around the physical play of Oliver Ames. Franklin believes that it has the firepower to get goals, while OA certainly believes it has the defensive ability to keep the Panthers away from the crease where so many of their goals are created. Franklin will try to get as many shots on Tierney as possible, while the Tigers will try to keep those shots clean and from the outside.
This is a game that should come right down to the final minutes, like every other big game between Hockomock teams in D2 this season. Oliver Ames likes to play from the lead and the Panthers have shown the ability to come from behind, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see some late drama. After every tournament game so far, coaches talk about heart problems and not being able to breathe until the final whistle. I think that will continue on Tuesday.
4. Who are people going to be talking about after this game?
Jimmy Tierney.
Win or lose, he has been the breakout star of the postseason. It’s no secret for those that follow the Hockomock that he is a star, but now Tierney is impressing a much broader audience and playing his best on the biggest stage. Canton head coach Brian Shuman said that Tierney gives other teams “nightmares.” OA coach Sullivan said that his aim is to get three goals, and once they do he can relax, because he knows that Tierney will not get beaten that many times. As good as the goalies in the Hockomock League are, including Franklin’s Devon Maloof, no other goalie strikes that much fear in his opponents and inspires that much confidence in his coach and teammates. Regardless of the outcome, people are going to be talking about Tierney for at least another two years.
5. Both teams have made it this far, but who has the best chance to win the D2 South Final?
This is a really difficult question to answer. When the bracket was release, these were the teams that almost everyone wanted to avoid.
Franklin is in its third consecutive sectional final and it won each of the last two. That type of experience breeds the confidence that no deficit is too big and no opponent is too tough. The consistent success of the Franklin program has this team confident that it can win any game, whether the Panthers are at their best or not. Franklin really wants a rematch with Wilmington at the Garden and it’s hard to argue against the Panthers’ track record.
OA might not have the experience (Coach Sullivan remarked that he thinks the last time that the Tigers made it this far was the 1980’s), but they are playing great hockey and have gone through a much tougher route (based on the quality of the opposition) to the final with wins over Coyle and top seed Canton. What makes OA so difficult is its ability to impose its style on opponents. The Tigers have been able to take away other teams’ strengths without having to drastically alter what they do best. OA games have been different than any other in the D2 tournament because few teams hit as hard (and as frequently) and stay as disciplined defensively as the Tigers.
In the end, OA has the hot goaltender. Maloof is capable of amazing saves too, but he also has the occasional bad rebound or is slightly off in his positioning. Tierney has been almost unbeatable, so slightest of edges to the Tigers.
Boys Basketball
#1 Mansfield vs. #4 Central Catholic, Tuesday, 7:45 - TD Garden
A question and answer preview with ESPNBoston High School's Christian Bradley.
1. What has been the key for Central Catholic to get to this point in the tournament?
Defense and rebounding. I don't believe there is a forward in the state who can keep Joel Barroa off the glass. Lucas Hammel is a great, great on-ball defender who can make plays for Tyler Nelson and Barroa--Hammel does all the little things that it takes for the team to win, a true coaches son.
2. What can Mansfield expect from Central Catholic on Tuesday at the TD Garden?
Rick Nault loves to press, and I can't see this game being any different. That being said though, given the very high-IQ's of Mansfield top 8 guys, I can't see a full court press hurting them at all. Mansfield can also expect a big game from Tyler Nelson, especially with Doug Gemmell and Nick Cambio out. Nelson has gone from a great shooter last year to one of the state's best scorers this year, I love his poise and his fearless mentality.
3. What will Central Catholic do that will give Mansfield trouble?
Central is still going to work the ball inside, Barroa and Aaron Hall are going to give Mansfield problems inside, and I really think that's going to expose them. The one definite advantage Central might have is their toughness in the post and their ability to rebound.
4. What will Mansfield do that will give Central Catholic trouble?
Shooting. Mansfield has shot the lights out as of late, and in the blink of an eye they have the ability to build a double-digit lead on anybody. If Central comes out flat the first 5 minutes of the game, then forget it, they will have already given up too much ground to come back--that's how good this Mansfield team is.
5. Both teams have made it this far, but who has the best chance to play in the D1 State Finals?
I like Central to win the state championship. They've clearly shown that injuries don't effect them, as they've played some of their best basketball of the season over the course of the last two weeks. Those kids play with an incredible intensity.
#3 Milford vs. #2 Putnam, Tuesday, 7:45 - DCU Center
A question and answer preview with ESPNBoston High School Editor Brendan Hall.
1. What has been the key for Putnam to get to this point in the tournament?
Rebounding, rebounding, rebounding. Oh, and a little bit of defense too. The Beavers have been allowing just over 46 points per game this tournament, but it all starts down low with KayJuan Bynum, who is both their leading scorer (16.3 ppg) and rebounder. Bynum is committed to American International College as a linebacker, and he brings that football mentality to the glass.
2. What can Milford expect from Putnam on Tuesday at the DCU Center?
Expect a very physical squad, that prides itself on toughness. The Beavers have been playing with a chip on their shoulder all season long. First, they were left out of our preseason Top 25. Then, they draw the No. 2 seed after finishing with the best record in Western Mass (19-1). Then we all predicted Springfield Central to win the district, and Putnam went out and clobbered them in the D1 West Final anyways.
They can also play fast. Giving the Beavers that identity on the perimeter have been a quartet of guards – David Murrell, Jonathan Garcia and Dizel Wright. Again, size is at a premium with these guys, but everything starts in the front with the 6-foot-3 Bynum.
3. What will Putnam do that will give Milford trouble?
I expect Putnam come out firing in the first few minutes, trapping and trying to get any advantage they can defending. Like I said, these guys play with a chip on their shoulder. That’s especially true on the boards, where the Hawks are going to have to match physicality. Milford has the height advantage, but Putnam has some serious muscle.
4. What will Milford do that will give Putnam trouble?
The key here is tempo. West Springfield delivered Putnam its lone loss of the season, and they did it with a talented backcourt led by All-State contender Riyadh Asad. A big part of Milford’s comeback over Wachusett was the switch in the press, and how it gave the Mountaineers fits trying to bring the ball over half-court. If they can force some turnovers early for some quick transition baskets, this one could get interesting.
5. Both teams have made it this far, but who has the best chance to play in the D1 State Finals?
I have to go with Putnam. They are an underdog’s underdog, despite what the record suggests, and they have been on a tear the last month and a half. One of the more underappreciated teams in the state. Between last year’s Springfield Central juggernaut and this year’s Beavers, Springfield area basketball is coming back.
The Pick:
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HockomockSports.com Picks | ||||||||||
Ryan Lanigan |
Josh Perry |
Dan Libon |
Andrew Cyr |
John Botelho |
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HockomockSports.com Staff | ||||||||||
#4 Oliver Ames vs. #7 Franklin Tuesday, 5:00 @ Gallo |
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#1 Mansfield vs. #4 Central Catholic Tuesday, 7:45 @ TD Garden |
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#3 Milford vs. #2 Putnam Tuesday, 7:45 @ DCU Center |
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Hockey | Lanigan 5-2 | Perry 4-3 | Libon 5-2 | Cyr 5-2 | Botelho 5-2 |
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Boys Basketball | Lanigan 9-2 | Perry 8-3 | Libon 8-3 | Cyr 8-3 | Botelho 2-3 |
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Girls Basketball | Lanigan 5-2 | Perry 6-1 | Libon 6-1 | Cyr 6-1 | Botelho 1-0 |
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Total | Lanigan 19-6 | Perry 18-7 | Libon 19-6 | Cyr 19-6 | Botelho 8-5 |
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