FOXBORO, Mass. — Wednesday night marked the final week of regular season action in the Foxboro Prep League.
Team Omicioli started the slate with a 10-5 win over Team Donatelli. Team Cox followed it up with a 7-4 victory over Team Walsh.
The night's best game was the final one between Team Moran and Team Holske. It was a goalie duel, which we'll get to in a bit, but it needed overtime for a winner. Team Moran edged out Team Holske, 4-3.
The playoffs begin next week. The matchups are Team Holske vs. Team Omicioli and Team Cox vs. Team Moran on Wednesday. The winners of each game will play in the championship on Thursday.
Here are 10 uncommitted standouts from Week 8.
Aiden Ferreira
Team Donatelli/St. George's, 1/17/2007, F, right shot, 5-10/161
Hometown: Warwick, R.I.Â
Ferreira was impossible to miss Wednesday night. He scored on a nice tip just moments into the game. Ferreira had various scoring chances throughout the rest of the game, often created by generated speed on trips through the neutral zone and into the opposing end. He regularly put defenders on their heels. He hunted pucks well, too, to try and gain back possession.
Blakely Grislis
Team Donatelli/St. Mark's, 10/22/2007, D, right shot, 5-9/154
Hometown: Narragansett, R.I.Â
Grislis had a terrific sequence midway through the first half of his game. It started when he made a nice read at the offensive blue line to step up and intercept a breakout pass. That led to a scoring chance. Later in his shift, he scored off the rush with a nice finish. He showcased a good stick when defending the rush. He also showed confidence when skating the puck.
Teddy MacAusland
Team Holske/Nobles, 1/13/2006, F, right shot, 5-9/179
Hometown: Westwood, Mass.Â
MacAusland was one of the biggest reasons for his team's comeback after being down, 3-0, entering the second half. He scored on a net-front chance early in the second half, cutting Team Moran's lead to 3-1. He sniped his second goal of the night off the rush shortly after, making it 3-2. MacAusland consistently showed patience with the puck in the offensive zone, too, waiting for the perfect time to take the puck to the net or for passing lanes to open.
Aiden MacIsaac
Team Moran/Lawrence Academy, 1/11/2007, D, left shot, 5-11/161
Hometown: Andover, Mass.Â
MacIsaac, notoriously a responsible defenseman, saw a bunch of time at forward on Wednesday night and scored early in the first half, showcasing nice hands for the finish. Some of his best plays, however, were in his own zone. He hustled back to break up a MacAusland breakaway late in the first half. As the clock ticked down in the second half, he showcased a great stick to break up a play in front of his own net. MacIsaac has the chance to be one of the best defenders in prep this winter.
BIG GETS FOR HARVARD: Poirier and Salandra choose the Crimson | Rothstein follows suit
Joe Marchi
Team Cox/Dexter Southfield, 10/30/2007, F, right shot, 5-8/170
Hometown: Foxboro, Mass.Â
Marchi wasn't just good — he was dominant. He tallied a hat trick in the first half. The first goal came off a wicked shot coming down the wing that beat the netminder clean. Shortly after, he used his speed to separate from a defender off the rush and get a breakaway. He scored on a beautiful finish. He completed the hat trick late in the half when he came down the slot and slapped a rebound past goalie Justin Lee. Marchi will be one of many important forwards for Dexter Southfield this winter. His shot should help separate him from the pack.
Carson Mertz
Team Omicioli/Mount St. Charles 16U, 2/19/2008, G, catches left, 6-0/165
Hometown: Coventry, R.I.Â
When Mertz entered the game in the second half, the score was tied, 4-4. It ended 10-5 in favor of Team Omicioli. Yes, Team Omicioli had a nice second half, but the reason Team Donatelli couldn't keep up with the scoring pace was because of how dominant Mertz was in net. He robbed Ferreira twice midway through the frame. Due to Mertz's positioning and tracking of the puck, he made hard saves look easy.
Cole Pouliot-Porter
Team Holske/New Hampton, 7/24/2006, G, catches left, 6-1/168
Hometown: Wrentham, Mass.Â
As mentioned earlier, the final game of the night was a goalie duel, which isn't the norm. Pouliot-Porter was massive for his team late in the second half, making big saves. He did the full splits to stop a wraparound goal. Team Moran pulled goalie Thomas Saulnier with the score tied late to go for the win in regulation and Pouliot-Porter stopped all of the shots he faced despite being under siege. His athleticism serves him so well.
Grady Rowley
Team Omicioli/Mount St. Charles 15O, 7/21/2009, F, left shot, 5-9/154
Hometown: Cumberland, R.I.Â
It's also impressive when an '09 stands out. Rowley's night started off good when he threw a puck to the front of the net and it went off a defender and in. He showed a high compete, especially in the offensive zone, having no issue going up against bigger, stronger players for puck battles. Early in the second half, he followed the play well, got the puck at the top of the zone after reading a pass and went in for a high-danger chance. He also forced other turnovers in the offensive zone, too.
2025 NHL DRAFT: Why Everett Baldwin is such a fascinating prospect for next June
Cole Sabourin
Team Omicioli/Mount St. Chales 16U, 1/23/2008, F, right shot, 5-10/170
Hometown: Cumberland, R.I.Â
Sabourin has consistently impressed this summer. On Wednesday night, he forced a turnover at center ice, went the other way and scored on a nice, quick shot through the goalie. He made a similar play moments later, forcing another turnover in the neutral zone and chipping it around a defender for a breakaway goal. His speed and hands were consistently on display, as he continues to prove he's one of the best forwards among all six teams.
Thomas Saulnier
Team Moran/St. Sebastian's, 2/15/2008, G, catches left, 5-11/159
Hometown: Medfield, Mass.Â
Saulnier was perfect through one half and even though he gave up three goals in the final 25 minutes, he was still outstanding. Midway through the second half, he went post-to-post to rob Billy MacAusland of a prime chance. Minutes later, Saulnier went the opposite direction to deny Brendan Keaveney of a sure goal. Keaveney had what looked like an open net until Saulnier dove across with his blocker. Throughout the game, Saulnier turned away numerous high-danger looks.
