In some methods, it nonetheless looks like yesterday we witnessed absurd parity inside an exhilarating hockey season final 12 months.
It at all times stored us guessing. It usually proved us mistaken, particularly in a March full of Cinderella runs and sudden-death battles. Few wanted extra of a reset than the weekly crystal ball.
However now, after a wait that felt extra like years than months, pleasure is excessive to interrupt it out for one more season again in Hockeyland.
Lower than per week in, groups are already placing themselves to the check to form up for what figures to be one other tight race in every state match. Within the energy rankings period, these high-powered matchups are at each flip.
What we do right here is predict seven or eight of the closest or most significant matchups in girls and boys hockey, aiming extra to spotlight what needs to be the highest video games of every week. For the sake of acknowledging greater than the conferences with high matchups EVERY recreation, no groups are listed twice in a single week.
The thought is to select the closest finishes. However it’s additionally to precisely predict the winners, darn it, and that .621 win-percentage from final 12 months is laughing in our face.
Right here’s to cracking .700 in 12 months 3 (all in good enjoyable, in fact):
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 96-56-14 (.621)
**WINNERS in CAPS
BOYS
WEDNESDAY
Winchester at STONEHAM, 6 p.m. – Two groups that turned heads inside Cinderella Remaining 4 journeys final match. Spartans comply with a good loss to Woburn with a signature Middlesex League crossover tilt. By no means depend them out.
Weymouth at BRAINTREE, 6 p.m. – A rivalry hardly ever wanting juice. Wamps search for momentum in a 12 months with excessive expectations.
SATURDAY
Norwell at WINTHROP, 1 p.m. – An early measuring stick between perennial Div. 4 title contenders. A win would go a good distance for the Vikings.
St. John’s Prep at HINGHAM, 2 p.m. – Nothing like a season-opener in opposition to a fellow top-10 group – the reigning Div. 1 state champions, no-less. Harbormen have a approach with scrapping out signature wins on protection.
Pope Francis at CATHOLIC MEMORIAL, 6 p.m. – Catholic Memorial is younger in internet, however a pair video games underneath the belt prepares it for a severe check in opposition to a fellow top-10 group.
ST. MARY’S (L) at Archbishop Williams, 7:40 p.m. – The Catholic Central League made loads of noise all final 12 months. Spartans have an opportunity at an early assertion in opposition to the reigning league champs.
XAVERIAN at Arlington Catholic, 8 p.m. – Each teams return star energy from journeys to the Div. 1 Remaining 4. Getting previous Cougars goalie Patrick Clair is a troublesome early check for a new-look Hawks assault.
GIRLS
TUESDAY
Marshfield at CANTON, 4 p.m. – The brand new, Marissa Massaro teaching regime in Canton kicks off in opposition to a Rams group coming off a magical run to the Div. 2 Remaining 4.
WEDNESDAY
Falmouth at NAUSET, 6:10 p.m. – One of many state’s most prolific assaults provides Nauset probability at getting forward in an at all times tight Cape and Islands League title race.
St. Mary’s (L) at ARCHBISHOP WILLIAMS, 7:10 p.m. – As if their rivalry within the CCL wasn’t sufficient, the Bishops – who returned nearly everybody – are nonetheless hungry after an time beyond regulation loss to the Spartans within the Div. 1 state semifinals.
Billerica/Chelmsford at LINCOLN-SUDBURY, 7:45 p.m. – For as a lot as they misplaced from final 12 months’s league-winner, the Warriors improved within the offseason to contend for a league title as soon as once more, and perhaps extra.
SATURDAY
Andover at BOSTON LATIN, 2 p.m. – A menace to anybody and everybody final 12 months, Boston Latin appears to make early noise in its first 12 months within the MVC/DCL Giant.
Methuen/Tewksbury at HPNA, 2 p.m. – Early dialog is that this may very well be HPNA’s 12 months. Purple Rangers are pretty much as good as any at quieting these sorts of whispers. It doesn’t matter what, guess the underneath on targets scored.
Burlington at ARLINGTON, 2:25 p.m. – It’s at all times powerful, however the Middlesex League is one to pay shut consideration to this 12 months. A win for both group could be signature
