PEMBROKE - No matter the amount of wins a team has, getting them late in the year can provide fuel for a lengthy tournament run.
Even if you are Hanover boys hockey, having now played 18 games without receiving a loss, as the Indians (17-0-1) added to that number in a 3-0 shutout of Scituate in a meeting of the Patriot League opponents at Hobomock Arena.
With only two contests separating them from an unbeaten season, head coach Jonny Abban kept it in perspective as postseason quickly approaches.
“Hopefully we get a good seeding. The bottom line is you still have to go and play hockey [in the playoffs] no matter where you end up,” he said following his team's formidable showing Thursday afternoon.
For a team already ticketed to the state tournament, the display on the ice demonstrated bigger picture focus from puck drop to the final horn. Freshman Manning Morris (5:39) and senior Tyler Martin (14:40) established an early 2-0 lead for the Indians as purposeful passing on breakaways opportunities opened near identical goals in the first period.
Scituate (10-7-2) keeper Ryan Song prevented the deficit from growing larger, adding to his seven saves at the end of the first period with six more in the second, and keeping the gap at two. On the other side, Indians net minder Kevin Chandler kept momentum on Hanover's side, stalling three rapid-fire shots in front of the net with 2:11 left in the second session.
With 10:15 left in regulation, another breakaway, created again by stellar defense from the Indians, gave Joe Radzik (goal, assist) an open pathway as the junior flashed a quick-deke, netting the puck on the backhand for the 3-0 final.
“Everything starts defensively. Kevin did a great job and honestly, we are deep, seasoned, and experienced. It’s just a matter of them doing the right things,” said Abban following solid-performances from his blue-liners and goalie.
Without question, Hanover will be ready for the playoffs as the team has seen postseason play each of the last four seasons including a state championship in 2016.
“Going into the season we knew we were deep and could do some damage. We have two more games in the regular-season and then the season starts over,” Abban said.
Hanover 3, Scituate 0
Hanover (17-0-1) - 2 0 1 3
Scituate (10-7-2) - 0 0 0 0
1st Period
HA – Manning Morris (5:39), ast by Ethan Davis and Zach Stone
HA – Tyler Martin (14:40), ast by Joe Radzik and Davis
3rd Period
HA – Radzik (4:45), unassisted
SAVES
HA - Kevin Chandler (18)
SC - Ryan Song (20)
