Sandwich boys hockey wins state championship behind Connolly's game-winner in double OT
BOSTON - Not all heroes wear capes.
For the second game in a row, Jack Connolly has been the savior of the Sandwich boys hockey team.
In the semifinals, the Blue Knights went into double overtime with top-seeded Norwell, who they defeated on Connolly's game-winner with 27.3 seconds left. On Sunday, a minute and 46 seconds into double OT, Connolly shot a laser into the top corner of the Watertown net giving the Blue Knights a 3-2 win and their first state championship since 2008.
After the shot, Connolly ran over to the Sandwich fan section and slid on one knee across the ice as his teammates swarmed behind, throwing their hats and sticks in the air. They all gathered around him and hugged each other as they celebrated their Division 4 state title.
The Sandwich team poses for a photo with their trophy after beating Watertown 3-2 in double overtime in the MIAA Division 4 boys hockey final at TD Garden. Ron Schloerb/Cape Cod Times
"To be honest, I wasn't going to pass the puck to Caleb (Richardson)," Connolly said. "All love to him but I knew I was going to score."
In the first period, Sandwich goalie Mitchell Norkevicius had stopped nine shots , but on the 10th attempt, Mason Andrade scored off an assist from Anthony Venezia on a power play with 4:26 left. The goal gave Watertown a 1-0 lead.
Jack Connolly of Sandwich takes the puck in the second overtime just before scoring the game-winning goal against Watertown in the Division 4 boys hockey final at TD Garden. Ron Schloerb/Cape Cod Times.
With eight seconds remaining in the period, Sandwich's Colin McIver tied the game at 1-1 with a shot in the upper right corner over the shoulder of goalie Casey Williams. The Blue Knights only had four shots on goal, compared to Watertown's 14.
"It was a huge goal for us," McIver said. "Harley Ellis made a really good play defensively and I came down with Jack and the defender took Jack so I took my space and capitalized."
Colin McIver (7) of Sandwich celebrates with the fans after scoring their first goal with eights second left in the first period against Watertown in the MIAA Division 4 boys hockey final at TD Garden. Sandwich won the game, 3-2 in double overtime, giving them the Division 4 state championship. Ron Schloerb/Cape Cod Times.
With 6:45 left in the second period, Colin Campbell had a breakaway for Watertown. As he got closer to the goal, Norkevicius tried to predict which way he was going to go, but guessed wrong. When Norkevicius went to the his right side, Campbell faked him out and went to the other side , giving Watertown a 2-1 lead.
Sandwich has shown all season, especially in the playoffs, when they are down, they are not out.
The Sandwich boys hockey team joins their fans along the boards after scoring the game-winning goal in the second overtime against Watertown in the MIAA Division 4 boys hockey final at TD Garden. Ron Schloerb/Cape Cod Times.
"Credit to these guys for being down twice and fighting back," Sandwich coach Jordan Mohre said. "This is an impressive group of guys."
With 2:50 left in the second, Christopher Cardillo gave a beautiful pass to Richardson, who shot the puck into the upper right corner over the outstretched hand of Williams for a game-tying power play goal . The Blue Knights were outshot by Watertown 10-7 in the second but still managed to keep the scored tied up 2-2 at the end of the second.
The third period was a battle of the goalies. Norkevicius stopped all four shots sent his way and Williams stopped seven shots, sending the game into overtime.
Mason Andrade of Watertown and Harley Ellis of Sandwich tangle trying to control the puck in the MIAA Division 4 boys hockey final at TD Garden. Ron Schloerb/Cape Cod Times.
The first overtime was a eight-minute 4 on 4 matchup. The goalies continued their strong play as Norkevicius stopped three shots and Williams prevented five shots from reaching the net.
With the score still knotted at 2-2, they headed into a 3 on 3 second overtime, leading to Connolly's magical moment.
Watertown had outshot Sandwich 33-21.
"The more shots you feel, the more comfortable you get," Norkevicius said. "They did have a lot of shots and it was tiring, but you have to stay in it. It's a dream come true to be state champions. Thank God it's over."
Watertown ended their season 14-10-1. They beat 34th-seeded South Shore Tech 12-0 in the Round of 32, 15th-seeded Dedham 8-1 in the Round of 16, seventh-seeded Grafton 2-1 in the Round of 8 and third-seeded Stoneham 4-3 in the Final Four.
On their road to being champions, Sandwich beat 29th-seeded Abington 4-1 in the Round of 32, 13th-seeded Boston Latin Academy 5-2 in the Round of 16, 12th-seeded Shawsheen Valley 7-0 in the Round of 8 and top-seeded Norwell 3-2 in double OT in the Final Four. They finished the season with a final record of 18-4-3.
"The culture of the program has changed to where as these guys are putting in the work and the fruits of the labor are right now," coach Mohre said. "It feels better than those words I just gave."
