7 takeaways from the ISL Keller Jamboree

NEEDHAM, Mass. — This weekend was packed with prep hockey action between a number of invitationals, jamborees and showcases. Sunday saw several teams make their way along I-95 to Dedham and Needham for the ISL Keller Jamboree at Nobles and St. Sebastian's. The jamboree featured Belmont Hill, Governor's, Lawrence Academy, Milton, Tabor, Thayer and, of...

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NEEDHAM, Mass. — This weekend was packed with prep hockey action between a number of invitationals, jamborees and showcases.

Sunday saw several teams make their way along I-95 to Dedham and Needham for the ISL Keller Jamboree at Nobles and St. Sebastian's.

The jamboree featured Belmont Hill, Governor's, Lawrence Academy, Milton, Tabor, Thayer and, of course, Nobles and Sebs.

I caught the action at St. Sebastian's, taking in Sebs against Milton before Governor's against Thayer. Just down the road at Nobles, the hosts took on Belmont Hill, and Lawrence battled Tabor.

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Here's Sunday's scoreboard:

At Nobles:

Nobles 7, Belmont Hill 3
Lawrence Academy 2, Tabor 1

At St. Sebastian's:

St. Sebastian's 6, Milton 2
Governor's Academy 6, Thayer 2

Let's dive into some takeaways from the jamboree:

1. Sebs has so many different ways to beat teams. On Sunday, it was senior forward Matt Cataldo's (Norfolk, Mass.) three points leading the way for the Arrows. He was dynamic throughout the game, flashing plenty of puck-handling and playmaking ability. He picked up his first goal on a breakaway, finding space in the neutral zone to slip behind the defense before finishing a slick forehand-backhand deke. His assist came a minute into the second on Owen Lynch's (Foxboro, Mass.) goal from range.

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Cataldo's second goal came on the power play in the back half of the middle period, and it showed just how dangerous Sebs' other power play unit is. In a beautiful passing sequence off a face-off, Ben Merrill (Hingham, Mass.) gave a quick touch pass to Isaac Mitchell (Harvard, Mass.). Mitchell sped into the slot with a few quick strides before sending a no-look backhand pass to Cataldo, who found open space on the far side for an easy goal.

2. It was another game for Sebs and another dominant outing for Teddy and Casey Mutryn (Norwell, Mass.) as well as linemate Nolan Flynn (Natick, Mass.). Casey had two goals, Flynn had two assists and Teddy added a helper of his own. The three displayed strong chemistry both at even strength and on the power play. Teddy commands so much attention from the opposition, that it opens up chances for Casey and Flynn. It was especially apparent on the power play, where Milton shadowed Teddy heavily in the "bumper" spot. That left space open on the weak side for Casey to streak in for a few backdoor one-timer chances. He cashed in on one, jamming home a cross-crease pass to open the scoring.

The three combined for Casey's second of the game in the middle frame when he roofed a shot to the right corner off a face-off play. Flynn made an excellent pass to find him.

Casey is up to six points in two games, and he sure seems poised for a monster sophomore season.

3. Nobles' talent and experience up front shined through in their drubbing of Belmont Hill. Juniors Dennis Davidson (Newton, Mass.), Teddy MacAusland (Westwood, Mass.) and Kyle O'Leary (Medfield, Mass.) were primed for big years. So far, they've delivered. It was especially true on Sunday, when Davidson had a six-point (1g, 5a) outing to go along with MacAusland's four (2g, 2a) and O'Leary's three (2g, 1a).

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They were particularly impactful for the Bulldogs in building and maintaining their lead. Of their 13 combined points, 10 came after Nobles fought back to tie it 2-2 in the first. They factored in on each of the next five goals for the Bulldogs. They were integral in Nobles slamming the door shut on Belmont Hill, and that's what experienced teams and players do.

EXETER INVITATIONAL: 9 takeaways from the action

4. Governor's had a terrific response to some early adversity in a physical, intense win over Thayer. They were on the ropes for a good chunk of the first after the Tigers got on the board just 28 seconds in. Thayer continued to apply heavy pressure throughout the period, and Governor's seemed disjointed and on their heels, especially in the early going. But Mikey Mansfield (South Berwick, Maine) answered with a shot from the point that had eyes midway through the first to snap Governor's out of it.

They continued to find a groove in the second, forcing Thayer goalie Quinn Devin (Norwell, Mass.) to make a huge left-to-right save on a cross-crease chance. It would have been a sure goal. Michael Ranaldi (Newburyport, Mass.) broke through for Governor's shortly after, firing a quick turnaround shot inside the left post from the high slot for a 2-1 lead. Governor's kept pushing after Thayer tied it later in the second, forcing Devin to make another left-to-right save. Two goals before the midway point of the third, including Ian Crowley's (Holyoke, Mass.) 28 seconds in, helped Governor's keep Thayer at arm's length the rest of the way. Another pair of goals in short order in the closing moments put the game away.

It certainly helped that Zach Erichson (Yarmouth, Maine) wasn't phased by the early goal, finishing with 26 saves. He played a big part in Thayer not opening up a big lead early.

5. Governor's top line of Cam Russo (Middelton, Mass.), Alec Babineau and Spencer Thornborough (Boxford, Mass.) was impressive throughout the game. Russo had a goal and an assist, while Babineau and Thornborough had two assists each. The trio managed to generate chances even as Governor's struggled to gain traction early. They came through on Mansfield's equalizer on the first. Babineau won a face-off before Russo worked the puck back to Mansfield. The forwards converged toward the slot, and Mansfield's shot found a way through the moving parts and over Devin's glove. He never saw the shot until it was right on him.

In the third, Thornborough and Babineau had the assists on Crowley's goal with Thornborough finding him at the backdoor with a nice pass. A few moments later he found Russo on the rush, who closed in on goal and scored with a hard, quick release off the left post and in. He had a couple more chances on the flank later power play, nailing the crossbar on one.

6. Thayer's top line of Tommy Anderson (Braintree, Mass.), Brady Kudrick (Norwell, Mass.) and Josh Halliday was strong throughout. Anderson had two assists to go along with a goal and an assist each for the latter two. On balance, I thought Halliday was the best player on the ice for the Tigers, too.

They were all over Governor's from the start, making a strong first impression with the Tigers' early goal. Anderson fired a quick shot on net, and Halliday came in, seemingly out of nowhere, on the weak side to bury the rebound. He did a good job of recognizing open space and making a beeline for the net, catching Governor's asleep early. In the second, Halliday made a nice pass to Kudrick in the high slot, where he ripped a great shot to the top right corner to tie it, 2-2.

The trio seemed like it generated decent looks on goal each time they were out there.

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7. If there were any doubts about whether or not Tyler Bloomfield (Hudson, Mass.) would be ready to take hold of the crease full-time for Nobles, those have been erased so far. Bloomfield has been fantastic for the Bulldogs through two games. After stopping 26 of 27 shots in their season-opening win over Pomfret, he came through with 34 saves on Sunday against Belmont Hill. The Sextants opened up a 2-1 lead before the midway point of the first, but Bloomfield settled in for Nobles from there. He helped to shut the door while the Bulldogs' offense took over.

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