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Prep goes to B.C. High, knocks off unbeaten defending state champs

Kristian Hanson didn't have to state the obvious, but he wanted to let the Massachusetts high school hockey world know just the same.

"This is without a doubt our biggest win of the year," said the first-year Eagles' coach, after his team went on the road and slayed the undefeated defending state champions from B.C. High, 3-1, in Dorchester.

Senior center Christian Cowles scored a pair of goals for St. John's (5-2-2), including a power play tally in the first period and an empty netter with a second to go. St. John's came out "flying" in the first period, according to Hanson, and carried over that play into the second, taking a 2-0 lead after two periods.

Third liner Eric Danilchuk got the game-winner for the Eagles on a second period power play. Senior goaltender Kyle Pettoruto made it stand up at the other end, stopping 22 shots.

"This is a great win for the kids, the type of win you can build on," said Hanson, whose team got assists from Steve DiCarlo, defenseman Nick Riccio, Jonathan Sokolski and Colin Prior.

"When the game was on the line tonight, our guys responded. They put a lot of pressure on us in the third period, but we held strong. And Kyle was outstanding, making a lot of big saves down the stretch."

The Prep has another huge challenge on Saturday, travelling to Harvard University's Bright Center to tackle unbeaten Catholic Memorial (1:30 p.m.).