BOSTON — Littleton/Bromfield's top line was just too good.
The trio of sophomore Blake Hannon, senior Conor Glew and senior Gavin Werling was sharp from the start. Hannon and Glew finished with two goals each as the No. 2 Lions rolled to a 5-1 win over No. 9 St. Bernard's.
Senior Andrew Archer also scored for Littleton (20-1-0), while senior Jacob Dangel made 21 saves for the Lions' first-ever state title in their first try.
Sophomore Ryder Testagrossa scored for St. Bernard's. Senior Chase Bergeron made 30 saves. The Bernardians finished 17-4-0.
BOYS MIAA BRACKETS:Â Division 1Â |Â Division 2Â |Â Division 3Â |Â Division 4
Hannon opened the scoring just 35 seconds into the game with a snipe from the high slot. Werling doubled the lead with 11:49 left in the period. He picked up the puck in the slot, dangled to the front of the net and went five-hole for the score. He added another less than five minutes later with a redirect off senior Liam Glew's shot from the point.
St. Bernard's got one back when Testagrossa cut it to 3-1 with a snipe from the right circle on a 2-on-1 three minutes into the second.
Hannon answered shortly after, stealing the puck at the blue line and walking in alone before scoring five-hole. Archer made it 5-1 with 2:23 to go, finishing a feed to the slot from Austin Huber. Huber got the defender and Bergeron to bite on a pump-fake before driving wide and finding Archer.
GIRLS MIAA BRACKETS:Â Division 1Â |Â Division 2
Quick takeaways...
- What a thoroughly dominant, dominant game for Littleton/Bromfield's top line. Hannon-Glew-Werling was fantastic all game, and practically all of their goals were highlight-reel worthy. Hannon's first snipe got the crowd going early, and once Werling added a pair before the end of the first, the Tigers were in complete control. The trio pushed the pace in transition, generated high-quality chances and had St. Bernard's on its heels all game.
- St. Bernard's looked to have a golden chance to get back into the game early in the second. They mounted some pressure toward the end of the first, and Testagrossa's beauty was a huge boost early in the second. The Bernardians went on the power play moments later with a big chance to cut the lead even more. But Littleton/Bromfield gave them absolutely nothing. It took the wind out of St. Bernard's sales in a key spot. Hannon's second of the game in the wake of the kill seemingly put the game on ice.
- Give credit to both goalies. Bergeron kept playing hard and making good saves, even with the lopsided goal. He made a hell of a sprawling stop on Hannon later in the second, denying Werling's shot off the rush before lunging to stone Hannon on the rebound. Dangel made a huge stop on Phoenix Fortier's breakaway early in the third, too, keeping St. Bernard's at arm's length.
- It was a strong night for Littleton/Bromfield's defensive pair of Liam Glew and Caelan Piekos. The two moved the puck quickly and decisively. Glew's skating in the neutral zone and at the point made a difference, and both were physical. Piekos made some plays jumping into transition, too. In particular, in the second, it executed a perfect D-to-D regroup to find an outlet over the middle off a touch-pass from Piekos. I can't help but think that is exactly how coach Kevin Lizotte and his staff drew it up in practices all season. It was flawless. I have to imagine Lizotte was pleased on the bench.
