By Liam O’Brien
Managing Editor of Sports
Sitting at 3-6-2 just a week ago, acquiring a berth in the state tournament appeared to be a lost cause for the boys’ hockey team.
However, with three consecutive victories culminating in a critical Wednesday night 4-3 win over Weston, one of the most formidable challengers in the MVC/DCL, the squad now stands at 6-6-2 needing just two triumphant efforts in their final four contests to secure a postseason spot.
Led by goals from four different contributors and a third period shutout performance by senior goalie Matthew Aviles, the Lions arose from an early two-goal deficit to take down Weston, who dropped to 8-6-2 with the defeat.
“It was definitely a must win from the get go,” senior defenseman Andrew Wales said. “Before the Weston game, we had to win three out of our final five games to clinch a playoff spot. Obviously, now it’s down to two out of the next four, so that’s a huge boost in confidence.”
After falling to the Wildcats in early January, 2-0, the Lions faced long odds entering the tilt. Buoyed by a flurry of confidence from encouraging feats over Northeast Metropolitan Vocational School and Lowell last week, the team entered the JAR on a mission.
South was dealt a daunting hand to begin the matchup, as Weston jumped on the board first with a goal by senior captain Ben Hamblett with 2:24 remaining in the first period.
The Wildcats then placed the Lions into a 2-0 hole with just 0.5 seconds remaining in the opening period, putting South behind the 8-ball heading into the locker room.
Unfazed by their slow start, the Lions quickly sliced into the deficit. Junior Sergey Bezrukov finessed his way to the net and scored with 12:07 remaining in the second period to cut the Weston lead in half to begin the rally.
With a small win streak under our belt right now, it’s easier to go out and play the game hard knowing you have a chance at a win.” – Senior Defenseman Andrew Wales
Then, with 6:51 left in the period, Wales ripped one home from long range to tie up the score at two goals apiece.
A Weston tally 33 seconds later restored its one-goal lead. The Lions responded with a stifling defensive effort for the rest of the game, including dynamic saves from Aviles in the final period.
“I would give a lot of credit to [Aviles],” Wales said. “He held them at three goals in the third, and all we had to do was score a couple of goals [to make the comeback].”
This suffocating approach led to offensive success as well, as junior Thomas O’Neill scored to open up the third period, tying the contest at three.
The Lions continued to build momentum throughout the period, keeping Weston at bay into the final minutes of action. The Wildcats were unable to muster any resemblance of the offensive attack that they to harnessed in the first period, with the majority of the period spent in South’s offensive zone.
With 1:14 remaining in the contest, freshman Baxter Cardamone controlled a rebound and flipped it into the net to give the Lions a 4-3 advantage, a lead that they would not relinquish.
“I would also give a lot of credit to Baxter,” Wales said. “He put the game winner in the net which obviously speaks for itself. He’s had some nice goals lately.”
Wales believes that the win came as a result of the team’s all-around determination to succeed, and said that the victory gives them confidence moving into their final four contests of the season.
“I don’t think I could pinpoint an exact key to the victory,” he said. “One thing would be just establishing a winning mindset. With a small win streak under our belt right now, it’s easier to go out and play the game hard knowing you have a chance at a win.”
