Canton (2-2-4) @ Oliver Ames (5-1-2)
January 18th, 2:00 (Asiaf Arena)
Overview
Oliver Ames and Canton have already met once so far this season, but it was a non-league game and it ended in a 3-3 tie.
That should make this one even bigger when the Tigers and the Bulldogs meet on Saturday at 2:00 at Asiaf Arena in Brockton.
Oliver Ames enters the game 5-1-2 and unbeaten in their last three games after dropping a game to Mansfield. Canton is 2-2-4 but are unbeaten in their last four games, including an 8-0 rout on Wednesday and a tie with top-ranked Franklin.
The teams split their regular season games last year, each winning at home but Oliver Ames was able to beat the top-seeded Bulldogs in the playoffs last year.
That should make this one even bigger when the Tigers and the Bulldogs meet on Saturday at 2:00 at Asiaf Arena in Brockton.
Oliver Ames enters the game 5-1-2 and unbeaten in their last three games after dropping a game to Mansfield. Canton is 2-2-4 but are unbeaten in their last four games, including an 8-0 rout on Wednesday and a tie with top-ranked Franklin.
The teams split their regular season games last year, each winning at home but Oliver Ames was able to beat the top-seeded Bulldogs in the playoffs last year.
Players to Watch
Oliver Ames
For the Tigers, the top line has been the biggest spark for the offense so far this season. A trio of juniors - captains Tyler Provost and Tim Doherty, as well as Michael Carroll - have all been successful at finding the back of the net this season. Provost is a force in the face off circle and even more dangerous in open ice with the pick on his stick. He has great hands that, combined with his speed and shot accuracy, makes him one of the top forwards in the league.
Doherty has shown why he's a captain, showing great leadership on the ice with not only a strong physical game, but has emerged this season as a top goal scorer for the Tigers. He's coming off a hat trick on Wednesday night and his chemistry with Provost has grown with every game this season. Add in Carroll, who recently joined Doherty and Provost on the top line, and the three are one of the top lines in the league.
OA also boasts another Player of the Year candidate in goalkeeper captain Jimmy Tierney. Just a junior, Tierney is again one of the best goals in the league. He's adjusting to a new defense this year but has had an impressive campaign so far this year.
On the second line, senior Colin Lozzi has had a solid year working with classmate Matt Campanella and junior Chandler McLaughlin. Both have the ability to score and Campanella has proved he has great accuracy with an absolute snipe against Mansfield and McLaughlin isn't afraid to get use his body in a scrum in front.
On defense, juniors Albert Basse, Dan Sullivan and Thomas McCormack have been solid along the blue line. The defense overall has experienced a big turnover from last season, but the Tigers are starting to get healthy and are looking to turn it around, fresh off a shutout win over Foxboro.
Canton
One player that has gotten off to a strong start this season is sophomore forward Matt Lazaro, who scored the first three goals for Canton this season and scored a pair against Milford to up his total to eight on the season. He is a very creative player, as his first against the Hawks showed, with the ability to maneuver in tight spaces and against bigger defenders.
Fellow sophomore John Femia (five assists) is another player that can handle the puck as well as anyone in the league. He has struggled to find the back of the net in the opening portion of the season, but continues to run the second line, draw defenders, and open space for his teammates.
Senior captain Ben Lodge (four goals) is another player that found a much-needed goal on Wednesday, but his contribution is more about being physical and providing the two-way forward play that Coach Shuman demands in his fore-checking and aggressive style. Lodge adds some grit to the flair of Femia and Lazaro.
Defensively, Canton boasts a trio of seniors that are as talented one-on-one as any defenders in the Hock, as well as excellent at pinching in and providing offensive support. Andrew Howlett, Tony Francescon, and Austin Zannino provide a solid base for the Bulldogs attack and each can handle the puck and skate. With sophomore Justin Slocum growing visibly more confident in goal behind them, Canton’s defense continues to improve.
The last two players to watch out for are a pair of talented freshmen. Jerry Harding has been moved up to the first line with Lazaro and Lodge and scored his first goal on Wednesday. He comes in with an impressive scoring record at his age level, which makes him a threat at the varsity level. The other freshman is Jackson Maffeo, who partners Zannino in defense and shows an ability to read the game that belies his inexperience at this level.
For the Tigers, the top line has been the biggest spark for the offense so far this season. A trio of juniors - captains Tyler Provost and Tim Doherty, as well as Michael Carroll - have all been successful at finding the back of the net this season. Provost is a force in the face off circle and even more dangerous in open ice with the pick on his stick. He has great hands that, combined with his speed and shot accuracy, makes him one of the top forwards in the league.
Doherty has shown why he's a captain, showing great leadership on the ice with not only a strong physical game, but has emerged this season as a top goal scorer for the Tigers. He's coming off a hat trick on Wednesday night and his chemistry with Provost has grown with every game this season. Add in Carroll, who recently joined Doherty and Provost on the top line, and the three are one of the top lines in the league.
OA also boasts another Player of the Year candidate in goalkeeper captain Jimmy Tierney. Just a junior, Tierney is again one of the best goals in the league. He's adjusting to a new defense this year but has had an impressive campaign so far this year.
On the second line, senior Colin Lozzi has had a solid year working with classmate Matt Campanella and junior Chandler McLaughlin. Both have the ability to score and Campanella has proved he has great accuracy with an absolute snipe against Mansfield and McLaughlin isn't afraid to get use his body in a scrum in front.
On defense, juniors Albert Basse, Dan Sullivan and Thomas McCormack have been solid along the blue line. The defense overall has experienced a big turnover from last season, but the Tigers are starting to get healthy and are looking to turn it around, fresh off a shutout win over Foxboro.
Canton
One player that has gotten off to a strong start this season is sophomore forward Matt Lazaro, who scored the first three goals for Canton this season and scored a pair against Milford to up his total to eight on the season. He is a very creative player, as his first against the Hawks showed, with the ability to maneuver in tight spaces and against bigger defenders.
Fellow sophomore John Femia (five assists) is another player that can handle the puck as well as anyone in the league. He has struggled to find the back of the net in the opening portion of the season, but continues to run the second line, draw defenders, and open space for his teammates.
Senior captain Ben Lodge (four goals) is another player that found a much-needed goal on Wednesday, but his contribution is more about being physical and providing the two-way forward play that Coach Shuman demands in his fore-checking and aggressive style. Lodge adds some grit to the flair of Femia and Lazaro.
Defensively, Canton boasts a trio of seniors that are as talented one-on-one as any defenders in the Hock, as well as excellent at pinching in and providing offensive support. Andrew Howlett, Tony Francescon, and Austin Zannino provide a solid base for the Bulldogs attack and each can handle the puck and skate. With sophomore Justin Slocum growing visibly more confident in goal behind them, Canton’s defense continues to improve.
The last two players to watch out for are a pair of talented freshmen. Jerry Harding has been moved up to the first line with Lazaro and Lodge and scored his first goal on Wednesday. He comes in with an impressive scoring record at his age level, which makes him a threat at the varsity level. The other freshman is Jackson Maffeo, who partners Zannino in defense and shows an ability to read the game that belies his inexperience at this level.
Game of the Week - The Pick
HockomockSports.com Boys Basketball Picks | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ryan Lanigan |
Josh Perry |
Michael Antonellis |
Cameron Merritt |
Jeff Pickette |
Chris McDaniel |
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Franklin @ Attleboro Friday, 6:30 |
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Foxboro @ Canton Friday, 6:30 |
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King Philip @ Taunton Friday, 6:30 |
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North Attleboro @ Mansfield Friday, 6:30 |
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Milford @ Sharon Friday, 7:00 |
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Oliver Ames @ Stoughton Friday, 6:30 |
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Total | Lanigan 4-2 |
Perry 3-3 |
Antonellis 3-3 |
Merritt 3-3 |
Pickette 4-2 |
McDaniel 3-3 |
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Ryan Lanigan |
Josh Perry |
Michael Antonellis |
Cameron Merritt |
Jeff Pickette |
Chris McDaniel |
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Hockomock Sports |
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The Enterprise |
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Attleboro @ Franklin Friday, 6:30 |
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Canton @ Foxboro Friday, 6:30 |
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Taunton @ King Philip Friday, 6:30 |
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Mansfield @ North Attleboro Friday, 6:30 |
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Sharon @ Milford Friday, 7:00 |
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Stoughton @ Oliver Ames Friday, 6:30 |
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Total | Lanigan 5-1 |
Perry 6-0 |
Antonellis 2-4 |
Merritt 3-3 |
Pickette 4-2 |
McDaniel 3-3 |
HockomockSports.com Hockey Picks | ||||||||||
Ryan Lanigan |
Josh Perry |
Michael Antonellis |
Cameron Merritt |
Jeff Pickette |
Chris McDaniel |
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Game of the Week Staff | ||||||||||
Hockomock Sports |
Hockomock Sports |
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Stoughton Media Access |
The Enterprise |
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Canton @ Oliver Ames Saturday, 2:00 |
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Mansfield @ Attleboro Saturday, 2:00 |
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Foxboro @ Stoughton Saturday, 4:00 |
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Taunton @ Franklin Saturday, 4:30 |
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North Attleboro @ King Philip Saturday, 8:00 |
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Milford @ Hopedale Saturday, 7:00 |
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Total | Lanigan 4-1-1 |
Perry 5-0-1 |
Antonellis 3-2-1 |
Merritt 1-4-1 |
Pickette 3-2-1 |
McDaniel 3-2-1 |
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