Andover eliminated from Super 8
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Sunday, March, 04
By David Willis
Staff writer
CHELMSFORD — Andover had already made history, earning its first Super 8 berth in program history in a year that could have been derailed by controversy.
Unfortunately for the Golden Warriors, there would be no storybook end to that run.
After a few Andover chances in overtime were stopped, St. John’s Shrewsbury raced up ice and scored to take a 3-2 victory in the Super 8 loser’s bracket.
“I think the kids left it all on the ice,” said Golden Warriors coach Chris Kuchar. “We had our chances down the stretch. We had a few really good chances in overtime. It’s so tough to end this way.”
The loss eliminates No. 5 Andover (13-7-2) from the Super 8. No. 8 St. John’s Shrewsbury continues in the loser’s bracket, to take on the loser of Monday’s game between No. 2 Boston College High School and No. 3 St. John’s Prep.
“A lot of the kids are hurting right now,” said Kuchar. “We’re all hurting. But with the things that we have gone through this year, and I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
Each time the Golden Warriors took the lead, Shrewsbury was quick to respond.
Andover went up 1-0 midway through the first quarter. Senior Caeden Dillman took a pass inside the blueline and blasted the puck over the goalie’s blocker for his eighth goal of the year. But just over three minutes later, the Pioneers scored to tie the game.
Michael Reilly gave the Warriors the lead back 1:33 into the third, skating out in front and flipping a shot into the goal. But this time, Shrewsbury needed just 24 seconds to tie it up again.
“They’re a good hockey team,” said Kuchar. “We knew we were facing a tough team. They made it hard for us to get the puck in the net. We had a few chances in the 4 on 4 (overtime), and they got their sticks in the way.”
Andover had a few golden chances in overtime. But one shot skidded just wide of the post, and two others were saved to keep Shrewsbury alive. Then, with 1:30 left in the first OT, the Pioneers scored the winner.
Golden Warriors goalie Cole Chingris once again starred. He finished with 26 saves, his two best coming in overtime. First, he sprawled out to knock a puck away with his left leg. Then, a minute later, he made a huge glove save in traffic.
“I can’t say enough about how our goalie played,” said Kuchar. “He played his heart out. Cole gave us the opportunity to be here, and he played his heart out until the end.
“We would have loved to move on. But with how this year played out, my kids showed amazing character and resilience. They just kept on fighting. It shows not just their hockey ability, but their character as men. I couldn’t be prouder of them.”
Game Statistics:
Super 8 Losers Bracket
Goals: A — Caeden Dillman, Michael Reilly; SJS — Hunter DiGregorio, Griffin Burns, Will Horrigan
Assists: A — Jake Lachance, Andrew King, Michael Leon, Michael Feeney; SJS — Dakota DiGregorio, Nick Palermo
Saves: A — Cole Chingris 26; SJS — Corey Splaine 24
