Tom Mulherin’s high school hockey crystal ball
The last month has been a rollercoaster for the crystal ball, going through highs and lows on both ends of Hockeyland before righting the ship a couple weeks ago.
Parity on the boys’ side nearly sent it back into a tumble with a 4-4 record, but another 7-0-1 stretch from the girls’ side has our heads up at least for one more week – and it’s a massive one ahead.
We’re taking a bit of a turn in where the crystal ball is looking, since the season has taken a turn into the time of year teams start separating themselves in their league/conference title races. We already saw it in the Catholic Conference over the weekend, with St. John’s Prep locking it down for the first time since 2013.
Not the typical lineup of each division’s biggest powers, but still a loaded one to note who’s racking up some hardware before the playoffs begin.
Again, no repeat teams. Here we go:
LAST WEEK’S RECORD: 11-4-1
OVERALL: 62-33-7
BOYS
Monday
St. Mary’s vs ARCHBISHOP WILLIAMS, 8 p.m. – Bishops have been overtime warriors. A lot of practice in crunch time will be helpful in this long-anticipated Catholic Central League rematch.
Wednesday
CENTRAL CATHOLIC vs Billerica, 5:40 p.m. – The MVC/DCL 1 is still very much up for grabs between four teams, separated by just two points. Raiders get a big win here to stay in the hunt.
Wellesley vs BRAINTREE, 6:15 p.m. – The two top Bay State Conference teams clash in a crossover. Wamps look to build on a small winning streak heading into the regular season’s home stretch.
SE/BRISTOL-PLYMOUTH vs Diman, 7 p.m. – Both teams’ final Mayflower League game, separated by just two points. A Diman win would make them co-champions, but SE/Bristol-Plymouth outlasts its potent attack again for the solo rights to the league crown.
TEWKSBURY vs Concord-Carlisle, 7:10 p.m. – No team has come within three goals since the Redmen lost their only game to unbeaten Concord-Carlisle. Rematch between the MVC/DCL 2’s top two teams will be must-watch hockey.
MARSHFIELD vs Scituate, 7:20 p.m. – A crossover battle between the two Patriot League leaders. Rams flex top-10 Div. 1 strength to come out on top over Div. 3’s second-ranked team.
Saturday
Somerville vs MEDFORD, noon – The four-team Greater Boston League’s grand finale features the top two groups separated by two points. Medford takes Round 2 to finish as unbeaten league champs.
HINGHAM vs Pope Francis, noon – Not quite a league battle, but Harbormen defense gets back on track against the state’s other top independent team.
READING vs Woburn, 3 p.m. – Rockets have been itching to avenge a four-goal loss to the Tanners for weeks, build on a two-point lead over the rest of the pack in the Middlesex League Liberty race.
Shrewsbury vs WESTFORD ACADEMY, 7:30 p.m. – Colonials were the first team to beat Westford this year. Ghosts will be fired up to get that one back only down one point for the MVC/DCL 1 lead.
GIRLS
Wednesday
NORWOOD vs Westwood, 4 p.m. – Mustangs play the Tri-Valley League’s leader, Medfield, on Saturday, but first need to get past Westwood. Norwood splits the season series at home to come within one point in the title race.
Martha’s Vineyard vs NAUSET, 4:30 p.m. – Warriors still have both games to go against dangerous Martha’s Vineyard, but have proved they can handle anyone amid a 12-game unbeaten streak.
CANTON vs Franklin, 5 p.m. – Panthers need a win to stay in the Hockomock League title race, but the Bulldogs maintain their unbeaten record in league play to come within one win of the title.
Waltham vs BOSTON LATIN, 5 p.m. – Their first meeting was a one-goal win from the Wolfpack, emphasizing how close they are in a two-team race for the MVC/DCL Small crown. Boston Latin doubles up to all but seal the race.
Malden Catholic vs NOTRE DAME (H), 6 p.m. – Independent Div. 1 powers collide again. Cougars continue their stingy play in another low-scoring affair.
Winthrop vs PEABODY/LYNNF./NR, 6:10 p.m. – PLNR was the team to hand Winthrop its first regular season loss in over two years. Doubling down would be the cherry on top of taking the Northeastern Hockey League title.
BURLINGTON vs Winchester, 7 p.m. – Red and Black will be charged up in need of a win to keep up with Belmont/Watertown in the Middlesex League Liberty, but the Lady Red Devils have a knack for delivering big wins.
Saturday
SHREWSBURY vs Methuen/Tewksbury, 5:30 p.m. – Another MVC/DCL Large matchup that could go either way. Should both win their matchups on Wednesday, they enter tied for second in need of a win to stay in striking distance of Lincoln-Sudbury.
Pembroke vs HINGHAM, 7:40 p.m. – Harborwomen are just about out of the hunt to supplant Duxbury in the Patriot League Keenan, but play spoiler for a Pembroke group looking to separate in the Fisher.