The NEPSAC boys Large School quarterfinals almost went fully chalk.
No. 1 Belmont Hill took care of No. 8 Kent, 5-3, while No. 2 Avon Old Farms beat No. 7 Thayer by the same score. No. 3 Phillips Andover stomped down No. 6 Trinity-Pawling, 6-0.
But things got interesting in No. 5 Westminster's 6-4 win over No. 4 Governor's Academy, as the two teams went back and forth with the Martlets technically upsetting Gov's.
As for my predictions, I went 3-for-4 in the Large School. I picked Belmont Hill, Avon Old Farms and Westminster. But I missed big in the Andover versus Trinity-Pawling game. I was nowhere near a 6-0 win for Andover.
The semifinals offer another chance to boost my record.
Let's dive in.
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No. 1 Belmont Hill vs. No. 5 Westminster
These two teams met on Saturday. This semifinal matchup will be their second game in seven days.
Westminster upset Belmont Hill, 4-2, and knocked the Sextants down into the Large School Tournament. Goalie Jack Fichthorn (Darien, Conn.) was outstanding, making 44 saves to take down Belmont Hill. Senior forward Blake Burke (Trumbull, Conn.) had two goals and two assists in the win.
The Martlets are coming off a big win over Governor's Academy. While Fichthorn made 34 saves, it was the offense that carried them to victory. Burke had two goals, while senior forward Easton Masse (Manchester, Conn.) had three points. They also got scoring from Quinn Pine (Fall River, Mass.), Gus McGarvey (Greenwich, Conn.) and Erich Brueckmann.
ELITE 8: Predictions for big-time matchups in the semifinals
But while Westminster has gone 10-2-1 in its last 13 games, I have a hard time thinking Belmont Hill loses to the Martlets twice in one week, especially after what that loss did to the Sextants a week ago.
Senior Grayson Cohen (Weston, Mass.) and junior Evan Jones (Arlington, Mass.) had big nights on defense and sophomore forward David Bosco (Winchester, Mass.) had a two-point night. I don't see the Sextants falling in this one.
Prediction:Â Belmont Hill wins, 3-1.
No. 2 Avon Old Farms vs. No. 3 Phillips Andover
Avon Old Farms has been the best defensive team in the region this season. While the Winged Beavers gave up three goals to Thayer on Wednesday, that was the first time they gave up that many goals since Feb. 15.
Their offense has been churning, too. Junior forward and Dartmouth commit Indiana Grossbard (Darien, Conn.) has five goals in his last two games. Senior forward Mason Minsky has five points in his last two games. Senior forward and Providence College commit Cooper Snee potted a goal and added two assists against Thayer. Junior goalie Anthony Palmer (Lynnfield, Mass.) has been terrific of late, making 28 saves against Thayer. He has a 1.95 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage this season.
QUARTERFINALS: 27 takeaways from Wednesday’s gamesÂ
But Andover is rolling as well. The Big Blue have won five in a row. They just crushed Trinity-Pawling. Senior forwards Grayden Robertson-Palmer and Peyton Militello both had three points. Senior goalie Chase Anderson (Marblehead, Mass.) had a 38-save shutout. When Anderson is on, he's dominant — and he's on right now.
This game will come down to the goalies. I give a slight edge to Avon.
Prediction:Â Avon Old Farms wins, 2-1.
