CHAMPIONS!!

A muted celebration in a rink-adjacent changing area (rather than a locker room) was the scene following the Catholic Conference clinching game back on February 16. The Hawks had fallen to the Knights 2-1, but due to the results of other conference games had broken a 53-year drought and claimed the conference crown. Players sat on their chairs, still dressed, and took in the news with at best a half smile. Despite appearances in seven of the last thirteen Super 8 tournaments, a title had eluded the program. This one didn’t feel like the triumphant end to a grueling campaign. It felt like unfinished business. 

Kevin McGrath ’21 put the desire to finish the season strong into focus. “This season was obviously much different than seasons past, especially considering the fact that we played half as many games as normal. With that on our minds we figured we might as well make every single time lacing up the skates count. I think this pushed us harder in practices and games, because we never knew whether or not our season would just get cut off. Luckily, we all stayed disciplined and did what we had to do in order to keep our season going.”

Focused and hungry, the Hawks had rebounded from a 2-2 start and finished the season at 5-3-2. In the always hyper competitive Catholic Conference, their record was rewarded with the top seed in the first ever conference tournament. A Friday night semifinal victory over Malden Catholic set up a rematch with Catholic Memorial. 

A spirited first period saw the boys from Baker Street strike first, while the Hawks would find the equalizer a mere four minutes later on a shot from Joe DiMartino ’23. The usual strong play of the Hawk’s penalty kill unit held the tie score, but it would be senior netminder Kevin McGrath who was tasked with rising to the biggest moment of the night. Following a penalty in the Xaverian crease, CM was awarded a penalty shot. McGrath stayed up on his skates for what seemed like an eternity, baiting the 5-hole shot that he knew was coming from his film study and familiarity with the CM offensive players. Finally dropping low, he turned the shot aside with a stick save, the most important of the 25 he would make over the course of the evening. Minutes later, Braden O’Hara ’22 put the Hawks ahead for good with a backhanded bid that sailed over the right shoulder of CM’s goalie. 

As the clock hit all zeros, gloves and helmets flew into the air and a raucous celebration ensued. “We were fortunate to have a season and appreciated the efforts and all the support that we received from the administration.” said Head Coach Dave Spinale. His pride in the sacrifices that the boys made to ensure the season continued was topped only by the joy he saw in his seniors as they rushed the ice. “We were happy that the senior class were able to have a season...that was so much fun. The whole team worked so hard to get there and they all contributed, and were all rewarded.”

It's a sentiment echoed by Athletic Director Ted Currle who added “We are extremely proud of our student athletes and coaches in the hockey program. Winning the league title, and the first ever conference tournament is a tremendous accomplishment.”