RallyNorth.net

Before the New Year's Eve game, St. John's Prep hockey coach Kristian Hanson's message to his players was simple | keep shooting. Hanson knew St. John's of Shrewsbury had an outstanding goalie in senior Ben Siok, and the only way the Eagles were going to prevail was to put a lot of shots on net.

A long weekend up North was just the thing the St. John's Prep hockey team needed.

The Eagles captured the 16th annual Doc Tulip Tournament in Vermont after knocking off Essex Junction, 5-0, Saturday afternoon. The victory, coupled with the Prep's 2-2 tie with Bellows Free Academy on Friday night, gave them the tournament title.

A 4-1 loss at Hingham was not the way new St. John's Prep hockey coach Kristian Hanson and his Eagles wanted to start off the season.

"We're hoping this was just an early season bump in the road," said Hanson, whose team allowed three third period goals by the Harbormen, snapping a 1-1 tie. "We had played really well during the preseason; it just didn't carry over for that game."

Last year's record: 12-5-6 (lost to B.C. High, 3-1, in Super 8 third round)

Coach: Kristian Hanson (1st year, 0-0-0; was 79-60-6 in seven years at Salem High)

Key returnees: Steve DiCarlo, Sr. LW (21-8-29); Christian Cowles, Sr. C (12-15-27); Colin Prior, Sr. RW (8-10-18); Justin DiRienzo, Jr. LW (8-6-14); Nick Riccio, Jr. D (4-4-8); Kyle Pettoruto, Sr. G (7-4-4, 2.27 GAA, 1 SHO); Eric Clifford, Sr. G (5-1-2, 1.72 GAA, 1 SHO); Ed Estey, Jr. D (0-1-1); Danny Haugh, Sr. RW (2-7-9); Eric Danilchuk, Jr. C (3-6-9).