Category: Girls Hockey
Canton Beats KP to Secure Fourth Straight Hock Title
FOXBORO, Mass. – Since the Hockomock League introduced girls hockey six years ago, the games have always been competitive but Canton has stood above the others as the team to beat each winter. King Philip went into Wednesday night’s showdown at the Foxboro Sports Center looking to knock Canton off its perch and bring home its first league title in the process.
Canton’s title-winning experience proved to be too much to overcome. Behind an Audrey Koen hat trick, the Bulldogs pulled out a 5-2 victory, winning their fourth straight Hock championship and fifth in the past six years.
“Experience is everything and unfortunately the only way to get it is to get it and to go through it, so I couldn’t have asked for a better balance,” first-year Canton coach Nikki Petrich said about her roster’s blend of youth and experience.
She continued, “Having a more tenured player maybe working with some of the younger girls and walking them through, you’re going to feel this way, you’re going to feel that way, but remember what we do in practice, remember to listen for our voices. It’s been great to have their leadership and experience because big players step up in big games.”
The Bulldogs outshot KP 11-5 in the opening period (and 36-15 for the game), but each Warriors shot was a quality scoring chance.
Nicole McDonald had the first look when she reacted to a loose puck after a face-off and was stopped from close range by Canton goalie Carolyn Durand. McDonald also forced a turnover in the attacking zone and played a pass across the crease to Katarina Precobb, but Durand somehow got across to the far post to make the point-blank pad stop and keep the game scoreless.
“I was like okay it’s 1-0,” Petrich said, thinking about that moment. “Carolyn makes the save and we go down, and to me it’s always transition hockey, but a huge save like that really lifted our team and the momentum to fight some more. Every single game she makes a save like that and we’re able to get energy from it.”
Kelly Holmes would have another good chance for KP after keeping the puck in at the blue line, but Durand got her blocker to it. On the other end, Tori Carr had one of Canton’s best early chances with a steal in the neutral zone and hard shot that KP goalie Mallory Johnston knocked aside. Abby Stock also had a chance from the high slot that forced a glove save.
Things felt even in the early going, but Canton got the game’s first power play and made sure to take advantage of the opportunity. Maya Battista collected the puck just outside the right wing circle and played a diagonal pass across the zone to the back post. Koen was pinching in from the boards and collected the puck, despite a slight deflection, before roofing a shot over Johnston’s glove side from a tight angle.
With the lead, Canton came out of the intermission full of energy. Koen almost doubled the lead after two minutes when she won the puck on the left wing boards, cut hard towards the net, and forced Johnston into a good save.
About 30 seconds later and the Bulldogs did make it 2-0. Freshman Izzy Cusack had her shot from the slot saved. The rebound kicked out in front of Johnston, who attempted to dive out and cover the loose puck, but Cusack stayed with it and was able to slide it past the goalie. KP argued that the whistle had gone to blow the play dead, but the goal stood.
KP continued to create chances. Mara Boldy slipped a pass between a pair of defenders and Holmes was able to slam the puck towards goal, but Durand got the pads down to make sure of the save.
With 9:10 left in the period, KP was back in the game. Holmes intercepted an outlet pass at the blue line and skated in alone on Durand before flicking a shot into the top corner. About a minute later, Canton was back in control. Koen flew down the right wing and rifled a shot just under the bar to make it 3-1 and steal back all the momentum from the hosts.
“I always tell them hockey ebbs and flows like life,” Petrich explained. “I don’t like to say we need another goal, it’s always one shot. To me, when you say a goal, it’s so much pressure. Never get too low, never get too high, so when you come out next shift clear your mind, clear your head, and go after it. For her to score that fast, I couldn’t have written it better.”
The goal sparked the Bulldogs back into life and they dominated the rest of the period, creating a 14-5 edge in shots on goal. Ellie Bohane had a good two tries to extend the lead when she drove towards goal and forced Johnston into a stop and then fired the rebound on net only for the KP goalie to flash a pad out and make the save.
Canton opened up a three-goal cushion with 3:46 left in the second. Anna Lehan came from the right wing and attempted a wrap around that was saved, but the loose puck came right out into the middle where Stock was charging towards goal and the freshman buried the chance.
KP’s hopes of a comeback in the third period were blunted by starting on the penalty kill and Canton wasted no time putting the game away. Koen completed her hat trick just 13 seconds in, whipping a wrister into the bottom left corner and making it 5-1.
The next several minutes were played almost exclusively in the KP zone. The Warriors finally got some chances down the other end of the ice with less than five minutes to play. While falling down, Holmes was able to slide a pass across the crease to McDonald, but Durand made the save. About 30 seconds later, Holmes again drove towards goal and got the puck in front and this time McDonald was able to squeeze it home.
Canton finished with a flourish, getting scoring chances from Cusack and Kayleigh Koen, but the work had already been done. The Bulldogs swarmed Durand at the final horn, having retained their Hock title once again.
“That was more pressure on me, I couldn’t let them down,” Petrich joked when asked about how it felt to bring home a fourth title in a row. “It feels amazing to accomplish that with them in our first year. As I’ve said all year, we’re continually learning from each other. The girls that have been here on the team who know the players and the teams and (assistant coach) Kevin [Cleary] and I and our knowledge of hockey and the teams we’ve played. It’s coming together.”
Canton (11-2-2) will be off until Monday when it faces Archbishop Williams, currently the top-ranked team in Div. 2, and then follows that with a trip to Duxbury, the No. 2-ranked team in the division. King Philip (7-9) will host Arlington Catholic on Monday night.
Player of the Week: Kelly Holmes, King Philip Hockey
By HockomockSports.com Staff
King Philip junior Kelly Holmes has been selected as the HockomockSports.com Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, for Jan. 23 through Jan. 29. Holmes is the 18th player chosen as Player of the Week for the 2022-23 school year and sixth in the winter season.
Holmes has been at the heart of King Philip’s run towards a first Hockomock League title. The league’s top returning scorer from 2021-22, Holmes has been just as productive this season with 28 points in 15 games, while leading a relatively inexperienced roster. She is closing in on her 100th career point. Last week, Holmes had four goals and four assists, as the Warriors split a pair of league games, which means they head into the finale against Canton knowing that a win or a tie will earn them a first championship.
“She is a dynamic player that can be a game changer,” said KP coach Ken Assad. “She makes her line-mates always be ready for a pass when she touches the puck, she is ramping it up at the right time.”
After recording a goal and two assists in a 3-1 win over Westwood, Holmes got the lone goal in a 2-1 loss to Franklin on Wednesday. KP fell behind by two goals, but Holmes was a constant threat to the Panthers goal and she got on the board with a power play goal in the third period. KP bounced back with a convincing win over the Hockomock Stars on Saturday. Holmes was again in the middle of just about everything for the Warriors. She scored three times and assisted on four other goals in the 9-3 victory. That win sets up the winner-take-all showdown with three-time defending league champ Canton on Wednesday night.
The Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, is selected by the HockomockSports.com staff. Nominations can be submitted throughout the week up until Saturday night at midnight. There may be a poll posted on every Sunday with the nominations. The results of the poll influence the selection but do not strictly dictate the decision.
Kelly Holmes
Kelly Holmes The Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, is selected by the HockomockSports.com staff. Nominations can be submitted throughout the week up until Saturday night at midnight. There may be a poll posted on every Sunday with the nominations. The results of the poll influence the selection but do not strictly dictate the decision. Kelly Holmes The Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, is selected by the HockomockSports.com staff. Nominations can be submitted throughout the week up until Saturday night at midnight. There may be a poll posted on every Sunday with the nominations. The results of the poll influence the selection but do not strictly dictate the decision. Kelly Holmes The Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, is selected by the HockomockSports.com staff. Nominations can be submitted throughout the week up until Saturday night at midnight. There may be a poll posted on every Sunday with the nominations. The results of the poll influence the selection but do not strictly dictate the decision. Kelly Holmes The Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, is selected by the HockomockSports.com staff. Nominations can be submitted throughout the week up until Saturday night at midnight. There may be a poll posted on every Sunday with the nominations. The results of the poll influence the selection but do not strictly dictate the decision. Kelly Holmes The Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, is selected by the HockomockSports.com staff. Nominations can be submitted throughout the week up until Saturday night at midnight. There may be a poll posted on every Sunday with the nominations. The results of the poll influence the selection but do not strictly dictate the decision. Kelly Holmes The Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, is selected by the HockomockSports.com staff. Nominations can be submitted throughout the week up until Saturday night at midnight. There may be a poll posted on every Sunday with the nominations. The results of the poll influence the selection but do not strictly dictate the decision. Kelly Holmes The Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, is selected by the HockomockSports.com staff. Nominations can be submitted throughout the week up until Saturday night at midnight. There may be a poll posted on every Sunday with the nominations. The results of the poll influence the selection but do not strictly dictate the decision. Kelly Holmes The Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, is selected by the HockomockSports.com staff. Nominations can be submitted throughout the week up until Saturday night at midnight. There may be a poll posted on every Sunday with the nominations. The results of the poll influence the selection but do not strictly dictate the decision.
Girls Hockey Photos: Hockomock Stars vs. King Philip
Girls Hockey Photos: Franklin vs. King Philip
Franklin Holds Off KP Charge, Gets Back in Title Race
FRANKLIN, Mass. – When the two teams met way back in the second week of the season, King Philip pulled out a one-goal victory that gave the Warriors momentum at the start of the league campaign. As the final horn sounded on Thursday night’s game at Pirelli Veterans Arena, the Franklin players raced together to celebrate, and the cheering lasted long after the Panthers made their way back to the locker room.
After taking a two goal lead through two periods, Franklin was outshot 11-2 in the third and went on the penalty kill twice, but managed to hold off KP’s charge and pull out a 2-1 victory. Franklin’s adds a new dimension to the league standings, as the Panthers face co-leader Canton on Saturday and, with the Warriors and Bulldogs due to face-off next week, have the chance to insert themselves right back in the title mix.
“We’ve had a lot of battles this year,” said first-year Franklin coach Mike Lubin. “Today, we wanted to take those close games, those close ties, close losses, and turn them into wins. We stayed composed. We stuck to our game plan and that’s what I’m proud of them for, the effort, everything from start to finish.”
KP started the game with good puck possession and zone time, but the Panthers managed to limit the Warriors to only two shots on goal over the first five minutes.
One quick transition later and Franklin was in front. Lindsay Atkinson, who missed all of last season with an injury, broke out of the defensive zone and carried the puck across the blue line before feeding it to Julia Flynn. The team’s leading scorer deked KP goalie Mallory Johnston to get a seam and scored with Franklin’s first shot on goal.
“Izzy’s definitely the backbone and then it’s just playing structure,” Lubin said about his defense. “It’s the middle of the season, everyone knows their roles and just the fundamentals of everything we practice all the time. It’s that and then the transition to offense.”
The goal turned the momentum of the game into the home team’s favor. In a first period that featured far more action than you would guess from eight combined shots on goal, the Panthers started to tilt the ice in their favor.
Flynn was a constant menace. She got behind the net and flipped a pass out to Atkinson in the slot, but her shot was high and the second attempt in front went off the post. Molly Hurley then went on a nice rush through the neutral zone, slipping by defenders to force Johnston into a glove save.
“We weren’t picking bodies up in front of the net for the first two periods and they had a ton of shots down there because of it,” said KP coach Ken Assad. “We worked that out in the third period but we need to be more consistent.”
With five minutes to go in the first, Flynn raced up the right wing and fired a pass straight across the crease to Haley Wernig at the back post but the sophomore forward couldn’t get a touch as it went through a crowd of legs. Play turned over and Kelly Holmes sped up the other end, weaving through traffic but putting her shot over the bar.
Franklin came out for the second with more intensity. Hurley had a steal at the defensive blue line and turned it into a chance that Johnston (15 saves) turned aside with the handle of her stick. Johnston came up big again just a couple minutes later when Flynn stole the puck in the right wing circle and tested the goalie’s glove side.
The lead was doubled with 5:21 left in the period. Lindsey Dennett collected the puck on the half boards and skated across the zone to the right wing circle before firing a shot on goal. The puck appeared to take a touch on its way to Johnston and slipped past the goalie to make it 2-0.
KP was changing up its lines trying to find the right combinations. Holmes was the constant for the Warriors, creating chances seemingly every time she was on the ice. The junior forward danced through a couple of defenders to force Franklin goalie Izzy Brown into a save and then put a quick shot on goal right from a face-off that Brown (18 saves) was able to hold.
The message for the Warriors heading into the third period was clear, find more energy and get more pucks to the net.
“I told them they were getting outplayed, out-hustled, outworked,” Assad explained. “I said they need to pick up the intensity, you can’t let them go through you and make all the plays. They talked after I said that and they worked it out. If they played like that in the first two periods, we would’ve been fine.”
Eighth grade defenseman Calleigh Brady made a nice play along the boards to keep the puck in the zone and it turned into a chance for Holmes. Just seconds later, Aaron Wentling made a nice play with the puck and fed Holmes for a shot on target.
KP was definitely playing with more edge in the third and got an extra spark when the first penalty of the night gave them an extra skater. Holmes wasted no time, just 26 seconds into the power play, she slipped by two defenders, put the puck through a third and then roofed her shot from close range to get the Warriors right back into the game with 10:03 to play.
“She’s amazing,” Assad said of Holmes. He noted that as lines got moved around, Holmes found herself on the ice with a couple of KP’s eighth graders. About the young players, he added, “You try to help Kelly out on her line and you tell her they’re going to make passes you’ve never seen before and you’ve got to be ready for them. They’ll get there, they’re smart players, but that’s what you have to deal with.”
Flynn nearly answered back immediately, but her shot came back off the bar. KP got another chance on the power play and went right back to work. Holmes was peppering Brown with shots, but the Franklin goalie kept fighting everything off. The puck was then centered right into the edge of the crease for Mara Boldy to try her luck, but Brown was again up to the task.
Despite having the significant edge in chances in the third, KP only managed the one goal and Franklin was able to skate away with the big win.
“It was really just sticking to our game plan, nothing too crazy,” Lubin said about the effort down the stretch. “They can get a bit excited and I think it was just keeping that composure and playing those 45 minutes all the way through. It’s just playing good disciplined hockey. I’m happy with how they played together today.”
Franklin (5-7-3, 2-2-0) has an opportunity to make things very interesting in the league title race, and set up the possibility of a three-way tie, if it can beat Canton on Saturday night at the Metropolis Rink. The teams went to overtime in the first meeting. King Philip (6-8-0, 3-1-0) still controls its own destiny and would win its first title if it beats the Hockomock Stars on Saturday and Canton next Wednesday night.
Girls Hockey Photos: Franklin vs. Canton
Girls Hockey: Players to Watch in 2022-2023
By HockomockSports.com Staff
Player are listed alphabetically
2022-2023 Girls Hockey Players to Watch
Ava Adams, Senior – Hockomock Stars
The Mansfield/Oliver Ames/Foxboro co-op only had a handful of skaters set to return this year, so the Warriors have added in players from all around the league to become the Hockomock Stars. On top of the two original teams and its third member Foxboro, the team also has players from Attleboro, Milford, North Attleboro, and Taunton, and now go by Hockomock Stars. One of the returning skaters back is Mansfield’s Ava Adams, who is also a standout lacrosse player for the Hornets. Adams is coming off a solid season a year ago, scoring four goals. Her experience playing at the varsity level as the Stars look to build some chemistry in the attack.
2022-2023 Girls Hockey Players to Watch
Maya Battista, Senior – Canton
When Battista joined the Bulldogs four years ago, she was a stay-at-home defender who was always in the right spots, cutting out opposition attacks at the blue line or funneling everything to the corners. Battista has grown into a three-zone player, still just as capable a defender, she is now also providing more offensive punch. Her aggressiveness and confidence carrying the puck out of the zone allows Canton to turn any opposition attack into a transition opportunity going the other way. Deadly on the power play, Battista has a strong, accurate shot from the blue line and great vision to pick out the right pass to create a scoring chance for a teammate. Coming off a season where she scored seven times and had eight assists, Battista looks ready to be one of the top defensive players in Div. 2. Canton remains the team to beat in the Hockomock League and Battista’s leadership, physicality, and skills are one of the main reasons why.
Ava Buckley, Senior – Stoughton/Sharon
Stoughton/Sharon remains a young program that is still building a foundation for success, but even with low numbers at this stage in the team’s development, the Black Knights have a college-level talent. Buckley, who is committed to skate at Assumption College next year, is a versatile talent, who can play at either forward or defense for the Black Knights. The team’s top attacking threat, Buckley has the stick skills to find seams in opposition defenses to open space for a scoring chance for herself or for her teammates. Her strength makes it hard to dislodge the puck when she carries into the zone, even as teams send multiple players to try and win it back. On a team with only 14 players on the roster, some who are still learning the game, Buckley gives the Black Knights a ready and willing outlet for the puck, never seems to dip with her energy level, and is a much-needed leader on the ice. Stoughton/Sharon has been competitive in its independent schedule the past couple of seasons and Buckley is one of the reasons for that success, giving the Black Knights a dynamic player to rely on each game.
2022-2023 Girls Hockey Players to Watch
Shaw Downing, Senior – Franklin
Franklin’s quest for a second league title will rely a lot on Downing continuing to be one of the top players in the Hock. The senior defenseman is a three-zone standout for the Panthers, chasing the puck into the defensive zone and carrying it the length of the ice to create chances down the other end. With the stick skills of a forward, Downing can skate her way through traffic to turn any situation into a breakout, but she also has the tenacity to battle behind her own net and the physicality to keep the opposition on the perimeter. A vocal leader for a relatively young team, Downing scored three times and added nine assists last season. Her accurate passing from the defensive zone allowed Franklin’s quick forwards to leak out without worrying about turnovers and created numerous transition opportunities. Downing has a good shot to be a weapon on the power play and her reliability makes her a constant on the penalty kill. With her seemingly endless energy, Downing carries big minutes for the Panthers and that remains the expectation this winter, as the Panthers lean on her experience and skills to try and unseat Canton at the top of the league standings.
Carolyn Durand, Senior – Canton
For the past three seasons, Durand has been the backstop for one of the best defensive teams in the state. Canton has reached a pair of state title games during that stretch, including last March, and Durand has been at the heart of it all, developing into an elite shot-stopper. After allowing only 39 goals in 25 games last year and saving more than 94 percent of the shots she faced, Durand is back for her fourth year as the Bulldogs starter and is playing as well as ever. Always well-positioned, Durand rarely has to make the flashy saves, although she also has the quick glove and athleticism to recover for big stops when the forward does get a step on her. Durand sees the puck well, is aggressive in the crease, and maintains good balance to give forwards few openings to shoot at. Having Durand in goal is a huge confidence boost for the Canton defensemen, knowing that they can take some chances in the zone and it will still likely not end up in a goal, one of the reasons the Bulldogs remain a threat to get back to the Garden this season.
2022-2023 Girls Hockey Players to Watch
Julia Flynn, Sophomore – Franklin
Flynn had an impressive debut season for the Panthers. As a freshman, she led the team with 12 goals and seven assists, finishing in the top 10 in the league in scoring. A powerful skater, Flynn had no problem matching the physicality of varsity hockey, driving at defenses time and again to create scoring chances. Strong and skillful, the opposition struggled to get the puck off her stick all season, and she kept teams on their heels with her aggressiveness in the attacking zone. Flynn always seemed to be driving right at goal, forcing teams to keep a constant eye on where she was on the ice. Combining a strong shot with good vision and the ability to pick the right pass, when Flynn was able to pick up speed entering the zone then it was very likely the rush would end with a scoring chance. Franklin will be looking to get back on top and win a second Hockomock League crown and Flynn’s development as an all-around forward will be a key component of that title challenge.
2022-2023 Girls Hockey Players to Watch
Kelly Holmes, Junior – King Philip
King Philip scored goals for fun last year and Holmes was right at the heart of all that the Warriors were able to accomplish offensively. The leading scorer in the league, Holmes had 22 goals and 25 assists as a sophomore and powered one of the state’s top forward lines. A skillful forward with the ability to dance through crowded spaces, Holmes can track the puck into her defensive zone and with a quick burst can turn it into a chance down the other end. Strong and athletic, Holmes always seems unfazed even as teams throw multiple defenders at her and she helps the team regardless of the situation, whether it’s on the power play or the penalty kill, chasing a goal, or trying to hold onto a lead. Holmes has infectious energy on the ice, never seeming to slow down even as it gets late into the third period, and that was one of the reasons for KP putting together an 18-win season. The Warriors have a young lineup this season, as they try to become the third team to claim a Hockomock title, but Holmes gives them a leader on the ice and one of the most talented scorers in the area to try and build the team around.
Mallory Johnston, Senior – King Philip
While the KP attack understandably drew a lot of the attention last year, Johnston also put together an impressive season in goal to help the Warriors get to 18 wins. The Warriors allowed 41 goals in 23 games last year and Johnston was busy, making more than 400 saves and stopping nearly 93 percent of the shots she faced. Her quickness and athleticism stood out, as she seemed capable of pulling off stunning saves when it looked for sure like she was beaten. Johnston reads the play well to get into the right positions, something that she has developed as a three-year starter, and she is aggressive in the crease to try and cut down shooting angles. Her quick reflexes make her tough to beat up high and she moves well laterally, going side-to-side to make big saves. Confidence is an important trait for a defense to have and, with Johnston back between the pipes, the KP blue line knows that it can count on its goalie to come up with the big stops, which will be critical for a young Warriors team seeking a first league title.
Audrey Koen, Senior – Canton
Canton has long been a defense-focused team. Stopping opposition attacks has been at the core of why the Bulldogs have consistently been among the top teams in the state, but Koen and the forward line deserve some credit for that success as well. The team’s leading goal scorer last year, Koen had 12 goals and eight assists, as Canton returned to the state title game. Quick and strong on the puck, Koen is dangerous when she can get a full head of steam. Her skills allow her to weave through the opposition, but she can also take contact and find a way to get the puck on net. Koen also seems to come up with big moments in the clutch, finding important goals when the team needs one most. Like all Canton’s forwards, Koen is expected to provide two-way support, starting with an aggressive forecheck and continuing back into the defensive zone. Canton’s goal of returning to the TD Garden requires the offense to find the back of the net and Koen has emerged as the top offensive threat for the defending league champs.
2022-2023 Girls Hockey Players to Watch
Mya Waryas, Senior – Hockomock Stars
Foxboro senior Mya Waryas has established herself as a top player for the Warriors’ field hockey and lacrosse teams, finishing inside the top five in scoring for both sports in the preview seasons. Now she will be looking to carry that success over to the ice and the Hockomock Stars, who took on a new name after adding players from four more league schools: Attleboro, Milford, North Attleboro, and Taunton. With a lot of last year’s offense gone to graduation, Waryas will have an increased role for the Stars. She had three goals and two assists last season and will be a key piece for the Stars’ offense this year.
2022-2023 Hockomock Girls Hockey Preview
By HockomockSports.com Staff
2022-2023 Hockomock Girls Hockey Preview
2022-2023 Hockomock Girls Hockey Preview
Canton
2021-2022 Record: 18-7-0
2021-2022 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Final
Coach: Nikki Petrich
Canton has won four of the five Hockomock titles since league play began, including three in a row, and last winter the Bulldogs went to their fourth state title game in the past six seasons. It was an incredible stretch of success under Dennis Aldrich, who stepped down in the off-season, and the Bulldogs don’t look ready to slow down anytime soon. First-year coach Nikki Petrich, a former Northeastern University standout, comes to Canton after being an associate head coach for Austin Prep, helping them win a pair of Div. 1 state titles, and she has an experienced roster aiming for another trip to the Garden in March.
The Bulldogs can count on plenty of senior leadership this winter, starting up front with forwards Audrey Koen and Ellie Bohane. Koen is the team’s top returning scorer with 12 goals and eight assists last year and will be a focal point in the attack. Juniors Maggie Dailey, Lilah Spinelli, and Anna Lehan also contributed important minutes and important goals during last year’s playoff run and could be ready to step into bigger roles this season. As always, Canton can reload with talented underclassmen and freshmen Christina Curran, Abby Stock, and Izzy Cusack could also feature in a deep forward group.
Defense has long been a strength for Canton and it starts in goal with senior Carolyn Durand. The four-year starter has been one of the best shot stoppers in the state since her freshman year and gives the team a strong foundation in its own zone. Senior Maya Battista is another four-year starter and has emerged as a force on the blue line, both with her work in the defensive zone as well as her goals on the other end of the ice. Juniors Tori Carr and Devan Spinale will be back on the blue line with freshmen Kayleigh Koen and Georgia Campbell part of a talented rookie class that could contribute right away.
“We are looking to build off of the success of last year and continue to make sure that every single girl in our program has an incredible experience representing their town, high school, and family,” Petrich said. With a senior captain in net, a senior captain on the blue line, and two senior captains leading the way for your forwards, our team is going to compete every single game. A strong freshman class rounds out what is truly a team with extensive experience playing in meaningful games come the end of February.”
2022-2023 Hockomock Girls Hockey Preview
Franklin
2021-2022 Record: 6-11-4
2021-2022 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 32
Coach: Mike Lubin
Franklin is the only team other than Canton to have won a Hockomock League title and the Panthers come into the season with a more experienced, and deeper, roster to try and get back on top. Former assistant Mike Lubin has taken over as head coach after the retirement of longtime coach Margie Burke and he has a balanced lineup to work with this winter.
The Panthers will be hoping to be more solid on the defensive end of the ice this season, building on the structure they have created in all three zones. Senior Shaw Downing is a four-year varsity player and a dynamic skater along the blue line, not only being sure on the puck in her own zone but also capable of carrying the play into the attack. Junior Lindsay Dennett continues to improve each season and sophomore goalie Izzy Brown is coming off an impressive rookie campaign between the pipes.
Sophomore Julia Flynn was the team’s leading scorer last year and she is back to power the Franklin offense. Senior Lindsay Atkinson is also back, after missing all of last winter with an injury. Atkinson had a big sophomore season and will be a huge addition to the top line. Senior forwards Dana Stott and Molly Hurley bring two-way strength to the forward line.
“We’re a close group with great leadership and a good mix of young talent,” Lubin said. “We’re all excited to get the season started and build on our strong team chemistry from last year.”
2022-2023 Hockomock Girls Hockey Preview
Hockomock Stars
2021-2022 Record: 3-16-1 (formerly Mansfield/Oliver Ames)
2021-2022 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Round of 32
Coach: Jamie Mullin
The biggest co-op team in the Hockomock League is getting bigger. The Mansfield/Oliver Ames Warriors, which also featured skaters from Foxboro, now includes players from Attleboro, Milford, North Attleboro, and Taunton and will be going by the name of Hockomock Stars.
Jamie Mullen returns for her second year at the helm of the program and now has some more players to work into her lineup. The Stars lost some key players to graduation, including longtime goalie Jess Widdop and speedy forward Sam Ledin, and also have to replace the production of last year’s leading scorer Kylie O’Keefe (20 points). Leading the offense will be a pair of Mansfield juniors: Cammy Shenteler, fresh off a 7-goal, 9-assist season, and Maeve Anastasia, who totaled 11 points with six goals last year.
North Attleboro has four players in the mix with junior Ava O’Dwyer, sophomore Grace Cabeceiras, and freshmen Brittany Nordbeck and Alana Rice. Attleboro (Emily Davignon, Avery Drainville, McKenzie Sullivan) has three players, Taunton (Hannah Albert, Kendell Scheralis) has two, and Milford has one (Lindsay Casman).
Foxboro’s Mya Waras (five points) and Mansfield’s Ava Adams (five points) will also be key pieces in the attack. Foxboro junior Macy Quinn is back to anchor the blue line for the Stars while Davignon will be between the pipes.
2022-2023 Hockomock Girls Hockey Preview
King Philip
2021-2022 Record: 18-5-0
2021-2022 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 32
Coach: Ken Assad
King Philip is coming off a really strong year. The Warriors won 18 games last winter but saw the season come to an end in the opening round of the state tournament. KP scored 93 goals in 23 games in 2021-22 but graduated the bulk of one of the state’s top scoring lines, so will need new players to step into bigger roles in search of the program’s first Hock title.
While the top scoring line may look a little different this winter, KP does return its top goal scorer. Junior Kelly Holmes is back to lead the offense and is one of the most dynamic players in the league. Senior Katarina Precobb and junior Nicole McDonald will add more punch to the top line this season. The Warriors will have decent depth in the attacking zone, with senior Sydney Cloutier, junior Rylie Ryan, and freshmen Cam O’Shea and Kate McGann each ready to provide an attacking punch. Eighth graders Tayla McDuff, Rylan McKillop, Ella Morgan, Erin Steck, and Molly Murphy should all get their chance to contribute.
In the defensive zone, KP will have plenty of experience to try and keep other teams out. Seniors Brielle Hearon, Mara Boldy, and Emma Sullivan will all be back on the blue line, providing leadership and physicality to slow down the opposition. Freshmen Lydia Maxwell and Grace Lehan-Allen both saw time as eighth graders and will build on that important year of varsity action. Eighth-grader Calleigh Brady should see time in defense this year. Goalie is another position of strength for the Warriors with senior Mallory Johnston in her third year as a starter and classmate Haley Bright backing her up.
“I never call it a rebuilding year,” said KP coach Ken Assad. “With the returning players and newcomers, I believe with hard work and not taking any nights off we can be in the hunt for the Hockomock title and get into the tournament.”
2022-2023 Hockomock Girls Hockey Preview
Stoughton/Sharon
2021-2022 Record:
2021-2022 Finish: Missed postseason
Coach: Chad Kelley
Stoughton/Sharon continues to be a young program that is building up its numbers. With only one senior and two juniors in the program, the Black Knights will be focusing on youth and trying to build a foundation for future seasons. After a close loss in the season opener, Stoughton/Sharon continues to find ways to stay competitive even with a smaller roster of just 14 players.
Eighth-grader Sarah Scappaticci from Sharon will be the starting goalie this season. She made 34 stops in the opener against Cambridge and is already showing that she is a skilled player between the pipes. Brockton junior Molly Corvino will be one of the leaders in the defensive zone, along with classmate Samantha Calapai. Both players are solid in their own zone but can push the team into the attack. Stoughton freshman Addison Strunk will also be one of the defenders in the top two pairings.
Stoughton’s Ava Buckley is the lone senior on the team. The Assumption-commit will be the focal point for the Black Knights on the offensive end of the ice. Sharon eighth grader Ella Cummings has a lot of skill on the puck and already opened her varsity account with a goal against Cambridge. Sharon sophomores Peri Rodman and Heather Kelly and Stoughton sophomore Leila Uchani return to the forward lines. Stoughton freshmen Julia Monaghan, Meghan McGowan, Amanda Reid, and Stoughton eighth graders Nya’Lia Lindsey and Julia Henein will give the Black Knights depth up front.
“We are a young team with only one senior and two juniors in our program,” said head coach Chad Kelley. “Ava Buckley and Molly Corvino are our captains for this season. Both Ava and Molly have been tremendous with our young group. They are great examples for others to model.”
2022 Hockomock League Girls Hockey All Stars
Below are the official 2022 Hockomock League Girls Hockey All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league.
Hockomock League MVP
Allie McCabe, Canton
Hockomock League All Stars
Allie McCabe, Canton
Carolyn Durand, Canton
Maya Battista, Canton
Audrey Koen, Canton
Tess Khoury, Canton
Shaw Downing, Franklin
Lindsay Dennett, Franklin
Julia Flynn, Franklin
Molly Hurley, Franklin
Kelly Holmes, King Philip
Morgan Cunningham, King Philip
Sydney O’Shea, King Philip
Jen Daniels, King Philip
Kylie O’Keefe, MOAF
Jess Widdop, MOAF
Mya Waryas, MOAF
Cammy Shanteler, MOAF
Honorable Mentions
Payton McDonough, Canton
Avery Greco, Franklin
Alison Donovan, King Philip
Maeve Antastasia, MOAF
Below are the official 2022 Hockomock League Girls Hockey All Stars and honorable mentions, selected by the coaches in the league. Below are the official Hockomock League Girls Hockey All Stars and honorable mentions, selected by the coaches in the league. Below are the official Hockomock League Girls Hockey All Stars and honorable mentions, selected by the coaches in the league. Below are the official Hockomock League Girls Hockey All Stars and honorable mentions, selected by the coaches in the league. Below are the official Hockomock League Girls Hockey All Stars and honorable mentions, selected by the coaches in the league. Below are the official Hockomock League Girls Hockey All Stars and honorable mentions, selected by the coaches in the league. Below are the official Hockomock League Girls Hockey All Stars and honorable mentions, selected by the coaches in the league. Below are the official Hockomock League Girls Hockey All Stars and honorable mentions, selected by the coaches in the league. Below are the official Hockomock League Girls Hockey All Stars and honorable mentions, selected by the coaches in the league. Below are the official Hockomock League Girls Hockey All Stars and honorable mentions, selected by the coaches in the league. Below are the official Hockomock League Girls Hockey All Stars and honorable mentions, selected by the coaches in the league. Below are the official Hockomock League Girls Hockey All Stars and honorable mentions, selected by the coaches in the league. Below are the official Hockomock League Girls Hockey All Stars and honorable mentions, selected by the coaches in the league. 