MARLBORO, Mass. — Ryder Bisson (Holden, Mass.) was already used to scoring big goals. The St. John's Shrewsbury defenseman tallied a goal early in March's MIAA Division 1 state final.
So when he was tapped on the shoulder to go fourth in the shootout of Sunday's 16U Mass. state final, he was cool as could be.
The crafty defenseman went in, mostly keeping the puck on his forehand, before switching to his backhand at the last second and roofing it over Neponset Valley River Rats goalie Alex Wang (Concord, Mass.), giving the Junior Eagles the advantage in the shootout.
Junior Eagles goalie Justin Lee (Newton, Mass.) made the save at the other end on the next shot, giving the Junior Eagles a thrilling, 3-2, shootout win over the River Rats.
It was a wild game, made even crazier when no one scored in the third period or in 5v5 overtime.
The Junior Eagles got the scoring started when Cade Noonan (Needham, Mass.) sniped one over Wang's glove off the rush. The River Rats wasted no time responding when Leo Zhu (Needham, Mass.) drove the far post and tapped in a pass from James Wu (McLean, Va.) just moments later, tying the game.
Bisson sifted a shot from the point for a goal at the end of the first period, giving his team a 2-1 lead entering the second period.
But early on in the second frame, UMass commit Easton Anello's (Windsor, Mass.) shot from the point was tipped by Troy Hamelin (Southwick, Mass.) and into the net, knotting the game, 2-2.
The Junior Eagles earned a spot in the 16U USA Hockey Nationals, which are held in Green Bay, Wis., from March 24-29.
Let's dive into some standouts.
Alex Wang
Neponset Valley River Rats, 1/28/2009, G, catches left, 6-3/190
Hometown: Concord, Mass.Â
Not enough can be said about how good Wang was for the River Rats. He was huge late in the third period. He made multiple big, in-tight stops that could've given the Junior Eagles a potential winner. The biggest was Noonan lifted the stick of a River Rats defenseman right in front of the crease, stole the puck and fired one that Wang turned aside with his left pad. Wang also made the correct read on a puck that trickled towards him with a Junior Eagles forward skating as fast as he could towards it. Wang waited for the perfect time to jump out and cover it. In overtime, he was just as clutch.
Justin Lee
Boston Junior Eagles, 6/28/2009, G, catches left, 6-2/190
Hometown: Newton, Mass.Â
Lee was at his absolute best in overtime. The Nobles product was locked in, refusing to allow many rebounds and tracking pucks so well. River Rats forward Landon Brawn (Warwick, R.I.) had the puck all alone above the crease, and Lee extended his left pad to make an incredible save. The River Rats had the better chances in overtime and probably should've won if not for Lee's outstanding play.
READ MORE: 7 standouts from the River Rats' win in 15O Mass. state title
Ryder Bisson
Boston Junior Eagles, 8/21/09, D, left shot, 6-1/185
Hometown: Holden, Mass.Â
The shootout goal was fantastic and emblematic of his poise and craftiness with pucks. Bisson also has a penchant for sifting shots through from the point and scoring, and Sunday was no different. He uses his mobility well to walk the blue line and open shooting lanes. He's also a reliable puck-mover on breakouts and can facilitate offense with smart passes and decisions to get the puck down low. He's due for another big winter with St. John's Shrewsbury.
Cade Noonan
Boston Junior Eagles, 8/21/09, F, left shot, 6-0/175
Hometown: Needham, Mass.Â
This was the best I've seen Noonan. The St. Sebastian's product was consistently getting behind the River Rats defensemen and pushing the pace. His compete was high, as he'd find ways to chip pucks past defenders and drive play. He forced numerous turnovers in the offensive zone by hustling to get under players' sticks. This was a phenomenal final showing before the prep season begins. St. Sebastian's will be counting on him to take another step.
Easton Anello
Neponset Valley River Rats, 1/19/2009, D, left shot, 6-2/170
Hometown: Windsor, Mass.
NCAA: UMassÂ
Anello was his normal, steady self on the back end. He was effective at getting shots through from the point, as was evident on Hamelin's tip-in for a goal. He's a smooth skater and was consistently able to put out fires. He should be a top guy for Williston Northampton this winter.
Sean Sweeney
Boston Junior Eagles, 7/14/2009, F, right shot, 6-0/175
Hometown: Hanson, Mass.Â
Sweeney so clearly wanted to end this game so badly. In overtime, Sweeney consistently tried to dangle defenders and get in alone on Wang. It worked a few times, and on one occasion, Sweeney just missed high. Sweeney's hands, skating and ability to drive play were strong on Sunday. He looks poised for a big winter with Thayer.
READ MORE: What’s the future of New England fall hockey? Coaches weigh in
Leo Zhu
Neponset Valley River Rats, 3/4/2009, F, left shot, 6-0/170
Hometown: Needham, Mass.Â
Zhu is at his best off the rush and was incredibly effective on Sunday. The Dexter Southfield product was key to his goal when he drove the net hard on an odd-man rush, getting a stick on the pass from Wu and burying it past Lee. Zhu was also able to drive play well throughout the game by taking pucks to the outside.
