After leading the Concord-Carlisle boys hockey team in scoring over the last two years, senior captain Jay Carter entered this season itching to eclipse the 100-point plateau.

His older brother, Dane Carter, reached the milestone with the Patriots in 2021. So naturally, the younger Carter’s eye has been on it for quite some time, too.

Locking into a scorching start put Carter in reach through just five games this season, and it was his typical fashion to rack up six points in the next game against Wachusett on Dec. 28. Not only did he pass the century mark, but also led a signature win to extend the team’s unbeaten record.

It was something “pretty special,” and his big brother was sure to celebrate it with him accordingly.

“As soon I got it, (Dane) came up to me and said, ‘I did it in 49, so,’ ” Carter said, indicating Dane did it faster. “I wanted to get it before him, but did not have that happen. It was a competition a little bit, but he just made me push harder and work harder.”

Concord-Carlisle head coach Rian Murray describes Carter as quiet, but his competitive spirit is as loud as any.

Ahead of their season-opener against Gloucester, as well as its game against Wachusett, Concord-Carlisle talked as a team about the dangers of the opponents’ top forwards. Carter, without saying a word about it, made sure to remind the Patriots how dangerous he is, too, by accruing six points against each.

At 7-0 entering Saturday’s matchup against Tewksbury, the Patriots have seen Carter score a goal in every game but two. Carter’s 10 goals and 16 assists through seven games is a stretch Murray has never seen from the senior, but the 15-year high school hockey coach is quick to call him one of the best – if not the best – players he’s ever coached.

He’s an incredible asset all over the ice, and he’s had a massive impact on the unbeaten start.

“His hockey IQ is so high,” Murray said. “He’s got all the skills you would want a goal-scorer to have, but I think it’s his hockey IQ and his ability to manipulate time and space that separates him. … He just goes about his business the right way and leads by example. Can’t really say enough good things about him.”

Contributing as much as he does is meaningful for Carter. But being a part of a 7-0 start, which he hadn’t done before with the Patriots, is something special he just wants to keep building on. After consecutive first-round exits in the Div. 2 state tournament, everyone on Concord-Carlisle’s roster is ready for more.

They’re all taking this start in stride, but wins over tough teams leaves a lot to be encouraged by.

“We knew that we’d be good this year, (but) I didn’t know if we’d be 7-0,” Murray said. “We’ve played some good games so we know we can play good competition right now. … We can rely on the fact that we’ve had a couple close games and we’re finding different ways to win.”

Chemistry is a big strength for the Patriots, especially within the top line.

Despite two new linemates, Carter says it only took a couple practices to get in rhythm with sophomore Will Manchuso and freshman Joe Grasso. Both have thrived alongside Carter, combining for 13 goals and 21 assists already. Much of it has come in big games, too.

Manchuso had five assists against Gloucester, followed it with a hat trick against Lincoln-Sudbury, and his two goals were the difference against Arlington Catholic. Grasso also put up two points against Gloucester and had four assists against Wachusett.

“It did not take long before we started to click,” Carter said. “We’re all just working really well together. It feels great. They can look up (to) me for questions, I even ask them questions sometimes. So, really, we’re just there for each other, and it’s been working.”

A goaltending rotation of Jason Swaim, Sam Griswold and CJ Bailey has also stood out by allowing 2.14 goals per game, stopping over 90 percent of shots. The penalty kill is looking good as well. There are times the Patriots match up their second line of Cam Daley, Derek Labadini, and Cam Doull against opposing first lines, and they’ve given teams a hard time.

“It’s really been the whole team coming through,” Murray said.

“We have really good chemistry,” Carter added. “I feel like everyone is working really hard, and people have their roles and they do them well. … We’re still all really focused and really want to win.”

Three cheers

Hip – St. John’s Prep goalie AJ Farese’s pair of shutouts won him MVP of the Pete Frates Winter Classic, and another helped topple Reading.

Hip – Norwell/Scituate/Abington forward Calli Pineau’s hat trick with an assist against Hanover put her at 19 points through six games. She won the Judy Gormley Scholarship.

Hooray – The Marshfield and Hingham boys programs surpassed $60,000 in money raised over the last two years for the American Cancer Society through their Hockey Fights Cancer matchup.

Braintree girls impress

The Wamps showed off their potential over vacation, topping Div. 1 powers NDA (H) and Hingham to get to the Tenney Cup championship. Eva Surette is one of the state’s best goalies behind a stout defense, while a slew of players in the attack are expected to start heating up.

“(The) Braintree Wamps bring their lunch box to every game,” said head coach Kevin Burchill. “We trust our goalies and we trust our defense. I was not surprised on how we played against some of the top teams in state.”

One-timers

St. Mary’s of Lynn girls coach Frank Pagliuca wasn’t sure how his team would fare after graduating many premier players, but one of the best blue lines in the state has led a 5-0-1 start.

A 4-0 win over Reading bolstered the Woburn boys’ unbeaten start, adding to what should be a packed Div. 2 field of serious threats. … The first set of MIAA winter sports power rankings will be released on Friday.

Jay Carter puts a move on goaltender Sam Griswold on Friday at Concord-Carlisle’s boys hockey practice. (Staff Photo/By Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)