Two schools separated by eight-and-a-half miles will each try to defend the state titles they captured a year ago.
Another local entry, fresh off of a league championship, feels it has what it takes to make a run at the Division 3 state crown. Another proud program, back in the postseason for the first time in three seasons, looks to win its first playoff game since capturing the Division 2 state title in 2014. Two others enter with sub-.500 records but are hoping to pull off an upset or two.
Welcome to the 2024-25 boys hockey MIAA playoffs, where six teams from our North Shore area have their sights set on going on long and prosperous runs en route to championship Sunday at TD Garden March 16.
Having won two of the last three Division 1 state titles, St. John’s Prep (15-5) is certainly in the mix to do so again. Although they’re not the top seed for the first time in the four-year history of the state’s power ranking system, their No. 2 ranking earns them plenty of respect statewide.
The Eagles, who have won nine of their last 10 games, open the postseason Tuesday at the Essex Sports Center (5:30 p.m.) against No. 31 Andover (7-10-3). They already shut out the Golden Warriors, 7-0, earlier this month.
Brandon Ward leads St. John’s Prep in goals (15 and points (30), while captain J.R. Goldstein (6-15-21) is among the area’s best defenders. Senior A.J. Farese (10-4, 1.50 GAA, .942 save pct., 3 shutouts) already has a state title on his goaltending resume and would love to take a twirl around the Garden ice with the hardware in hand once again.
The other defending state champions hail from Marblehead, where the 15-5-1 Headers claimed the No. 8 seed in Division 3. They’ll also begin the postseason on home ice, taking on No. 25 Blackstone Valley (11-7-2) Wednesday at Salem State’s Rockett Arena (7 p.m.).
A three-game losing streak entering the postseason hasn’t deterred the Headers from dreaming of the brass ring once again. Captains Kyle Hart (13 goals 19 assists) up front and Leo Burdge (15-5-1, 1.54 GAA, .933 save pct., 7 SHO) in net are two of the team’s leaders, which include fellow captains Crew Monaco (11-13-24) up front and Sean Dolan (1-10-11) on the back end, as well as junior forwards London McDonald (15-15-30) and Avin Rodovksy (10-14-24).
A 16-3-1 regular season, which saw them win the Cape Ann League title in just their second season as a league member, has the Hawks of Essex Tech feeling good heading into the Division 3 playoffs. They’ve won four in a row and 12 of their last 14 while scoring an area-best 82 goals, double what they’ve given up.
The Hawks will host the winner of a preliminary round contest between No. 30 Foxborough (9-10-1) and No. 35 Amherst-Pelham (11-6-1) at the Essex Sports Center Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. A victory would keep them at home Saturday (12:10 p.m.) for a second round clash.
Senior captain Brady Leonard (29 goals) is the North Shore’s leading scorer with 49 points and is three shy of 150 for his career. His fellow captain and right wing Jaydan Vargas (12-29-31) has heated up of late and is just thee points shy of 100. Other scoring threats include left wing Anthony Bisenti (7-21-28), junior Ben Rehal (7-14-21) and senior defenseman Cam Casey (5-19-24), with junior Teagan Moreau (16-3-1, 1.88 GAA, 2 SHO) the last line of defense in net.
Danvers earned the 16 seed in Division 3, thus assuring them a first round home game. Fresh off of winning the Newburyport Bank Tournament’s Fournier Division title thanks to back-to-back shutouts, the Falcons (7-11-3) will meet No. 17 Nashoba Regional (12-6-2) Thursday at 5:15 p.m. at the McVann-O’Keefe Rink in Peabody. The winner will almost certainly face top ranked Nauset in the second round on Cape Cod.
Defenseman Josh Henry (12-16-28), the team captain, is among those up for Northeastern Conference Player of the Year honors. Junior forward Cooper Dunham also has 12 goals to go with 10 assists, with alternate captain Seamus Cary producing 7-11-18 totals. Sophomore Cody Standring (5-7-2, 3.03 GAA, 2 SHO) figures to get the call between the pipes.
In Division 2, Beverly will be playing just its third postseason contest since winning the 2014 title on Garden ice. As the No. 25 seed, the Panthers (10-8-2) will be on the road to face eighth-ranked Auburn (16-3-1) in a first round matchup Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Junior center Logan Bowen has had a massive year for the Orange-and-Black with 25 goals and 39 total points. Captain Jonny Mezza (8-15-23) is also a dangerous marksman, as are sophomore wing Anthony Barror (13-6-19) and offensive-minded junior blueliner Ryan Everett (7-12-19). Senior captain P.J. Redman (8-7-2, 3.17 GAA, 1 SHO) will get the nod in net.
Strength of schedule earned No. 30 Masconomet (4-15) a spot in the Division 2 draw as well. The Chieftains will have a tough task when they play at third seeded Canton (19-1-1) Tuesday at Metropolis Rink in a 5 p.m. first round matchup.
Captains John Miga (12-8-20) and Will Carey (8-11-19) along with sophomore defenseman Preston Abbott (9-11-20) led the squad offensively, with senior goaltender Dylan Brothers back to tend the crease after missing most of the season with an injury.