When it comes to playing Catholic Conference hockey, experience is usually beneficial.
Despite losing many key pieces from last year’s championship-winning roster, Catholic Memorial hasn’t missed a beat as the Knights continued to rely on their new young core for success Saturday.
Landon Carlson, Liam McKinney, Christian Hinckle and Will Alves tallied a goal apiece, while freshman goaltender Jaxon Fleming registered his latest shutout as CM pulled away for an impressive 4-0 shutout of longtime rival BC High.
“We shouldn’t back down,” CM coach Larry Rooney said. “That’s part of the grit and grind of the game, regardless of who you’re playing. We have a really strong group of 2010s who are freshmen and sophomores. Again, they have committed to the process, to be a part of this team, and get the ice time, play the role that they’re playing. They have to commit to how we need them to play. They become better players because of that, and we become a better team because of that. And we’ve got a really nice leadership group with that junior group.”
With Edward T. Barry Rink undergoing renovations, BC High moved many of its home games to Murphy Skating Rink in South Boston. Playing on the shores of Castle Island, the Eagles got off to a hot start, registering the first five shots of the contest. Yet, Fleming stood tall in net, keeping things scoreless.
Then, CM (13-2-1) found its rhythm and seized control. With 4:47 to play in the opening period, Carlson collected a rolling puck in front of the BC High net, then sniped twine as the Knights took an early 1-0 lead.
Moments later, the Eagles (6-8-0) were assessed a minor for hooking, and CM capitalized on the power play shortly thereafter. McKinney teed up a one-timer from distance, firing a missile into the cage as the Knights made it a 2-0 contest with 2:06 to play in the first.
Later on, with 9:46 left in the second period, the Knights began a rush up the ice, leading to a two-on-one opportunity. During the sequence, Hinckle fed a pass off to his right. When the puck came back his way, the junior forward tapped it home on the doorstep, extending CM’s lead to 3-0.
The score held well into the third period. As BC High looked to chip away, the Eagles had one of their best chances of the day during a break in transition, which led to two quick shot opportunities. Fleming denied both bids, keeping his shutout alive.
“I kind of read it,” Fleming said. “I kind of saw it coming before it happened. So I was ready for it, and got a stick on it.”
With 3:02 remaining, the Eagles attempted to clear the puck, but were unable to do so as Alves swooped in to force a turnover. The sophomore immediately took off on a breakaway, potting a goal to ice things.
Fleming finished with 22 saves for the Knights.
As of this week, CM was listed atop the MIAA Div. 1 boys hockey power rankings with a rating of 5.0454. This has all been accomplished with just one senior on the team roster.
“I know that these guys in their head want to win another championship,” Rooney said. “It is not easy. We had Mike Bavis, a popular CM alum, come and speak with us at the beginning of the year. The first thing he said was, ‘You’re not going to win another championship.’ He did it for a couple of reasons. He did it to light a fire, but he also did it to explain to them how difficult it is to win games and to win championships in the Catholic Conference, and in MIAA hockey. I think it re-ignited the guys, to say we’ve got to commit to the plan and the process, and to each other.”
