Sat, Mar 04, 2017
07:40 PM @
Andover
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| Winchester |
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| Andover |
2 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
Andover rolls past Winchester
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CHELMSFORD — Andover High shared the same disappointment as St. John’s Prep when a lumber-laden 13-5-2 campaign fell short of Super 8 worthiness, according to the committee.
There was no way the Warriors would suffer the same kind of heartache on the same ice as the Prep, the same night here at the Chelmsford Forum.
Minutes after St. John’s Prep fell 4-3 in sudden-death overtime to top-seeded Austin Prep, the fourth-seeded Golden Warriors simply pounced on No. 12 Winchester, breaking to a quick 2-0 first period lead and rolling, 4-1, in a Division 1 North quarterfinal that just wasn’t as close as the score indicated.
“It was a disappointment for the team, but we accepted where we are and put it behind us,” said Warrior Mike Biddle. “We all thought we should have been there. We’ve accepted where we are, and now we just keep moving forward.”
Next up for Andover is a Wednesday night, Tsongas Center date with Austin Prep, which rebounded nicely from its 4-3 Super 8 play-in loss to Marshfield last week.
“We took care of business tonight, and now the focus is on Austin Prep Wednesday,” said Andover goalie Zack Laramie, who was called on to make just 13 saves in the win. “We think we’re just as good as any team. We beat Central, the six seed in the Super 8. Not getting in just lights a fire under us to win this.”
Despite showing the rust of a two-week layoff, Andover made sure there would be no letdown.
Matt Schuhwerk opened the first period with a goal and Matt Belluche closed it with one as the clock showed just 24 seconds to intermission.
“Fourteen days off between games and it showed,” said Andover coach Chris Kuchar. “We played really sloppy. We didn’t have our legs underneath us, and we weren’t very crisp.
“We only gave up 14 shots, but we need to play better. We have to be much better to beat a team like Austin Prep.”
Biddle had the lone goal in the middle period and Brendan Croston made it 4-0 before Winchester spoiled Laramie’s bid for the playoff shutout late in the third.
All in all, fighting the layoff and the misfortune, Kuchar likes where his team is headed to Tsongas.
“There’s another tournament to be played,” the coach said. “Despite the fact we didn’t close out the season well, we truly didn’t earn our way into the Super 8, we have things to play for. This is our second time in the Division 1 North semifinal in the last three years and we are looking forward to it.”
Andover 4, Winchester 1
Winchester (12-10): 0 0 1 — 1
Andover (14-5-2): 2 1 1 — 4
Division 1 North Quarterfinals
Goals: A — Matt Schuhwerk, Matt Belluche, Mike Biddle, Brendan Croston; W — Jack Keane
Assists: A — Jeff Hurst 2, Pat Hughes, Mike Reilly, Matt Sharrio, Matt Croston, Biddle; W — Joe LePore
Saves: A — Zack Laramie 13
Game Statistics:
Division 1 North Quarterfinals
Goals: A — Matt Schuhwerk, Matt Belluche, Mike Biddle, Brendan Croston; W — Jack Keane
Assists: A — Jeff Hurst 2, Pat Hughes, Mike Reilly, Matt Sharrio, Matt Croston, Biddle; W — Joe LePore
Saves: A — Zack Laramie 13
