By KAT HASENAUER CORNETTA
LOWELL – BC High's goal coming into Game 2 of their Super 8 quarterfinal series against Central Catholic was to limit the Raiders' offensive opportunities.
The Eagles' blue line did just that Wednesday night at the Tsongas Center. No. 1 BC High (18-1-3) limited a flu-stricken No. 9 Central Catholic (16-8-1) to just 16 shots in a 2-1 win that evened their series at a game a piece.
“The other night, we gave them too much space, and they hurt us,” said BC High head coach John Flaherty. “So tonight the goal was to make sure we didn't give them that much space and make them earn every inch of the ice. And we did that from the back all the way to the front.”
The Eagles dominated time of possession from the very start. But Central Catholic had a stellar defensive component of their own: goalie Matthew Pasquale, who had an answer for every shot. Constantly peppered in the first period, he had to make 10 flashy saves on a variety of BC High looks, and continued on for a 33 save evening.
“His demeanor is so calm, so cool,” said Raiders head coach Mike Jankowski. “He's always square, he always has such a great presence about him.”
After nearly 26 minutes of scoreless play, the Eagles needed a power play to finally break through. Jayson Dobay sailed a shot in from the blue line to give BC High a 1-0 lead with 3:15 left in the period.
In the third, Cam Gendron stepped up in the absence of the ill Jake Wise, and snuck in a goal on the side of the net with just under five minutes left to tie the game for Central Catholic. A minute later, Kayser Raei's slapshot sailed past a tangled Pasquale to put the Eagles ahead for good.