BOURNE — Third time wasn't really the charm for the Duxbury High School boys hockey team on Sunday. Instead, the Dragons' heartbreaking run in the semifinals continued.
After being denied this round in 2022 (by Tewksbury in double OT) and again in 2023 (by Canton), Duxbury hopes this Division 2 playoff berth ends on the ice in the state finals at TD Garden. there was. Unfortunately, the Dragons were unable to solve Boston Latin sophomore goaltender Oliver Murphy. Murphy made 30 saves to lead the Wolf Pack to a 2-0 win at Joe Gallo Ice Arena.
“He was obviously the difference in the game. He was great tonight,” said Boston Latin coach Frank Woods, who is playing in his first title game since defeating Saugus in overtime in 2005.
Duxbury entered the game with a 7-2-1 record, but Murphy kept his team calm, especially in the first two periods when the Dragons (13-9-4) held a 20-6 edge in shots. I made it. Boston Latin senior defenseman Robert Banks stopped Duxbury again with two points, including one into an empty net with 4:31 left in the third period and another with 69 seconds left.
Banks also got the game-winner in the second round against Billerica in OT.
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The Dragons, on the other hand, may be able to take some solace by continuing to do well in the playoffs…
“I wish it was still going,” Dragons coach Mike Flaherty said. “I think it's a great accomplishment. I think we're the only team in each division to make it to the Final Four three times since we've been in the state-wide tournament. I want our kids to be proud of that.” I said, “But this hurts. This hurts the most when you're alone.” ”
Boston Latin (16-8), ranked 11th in the division, will face No. 1 Tewksbury (21-3). 2 finals. The Wolfpack are 9-1 in their last 10 games, tied for division. 1 Winchester (also No. 11) was selected as the lowest-seeded team to advance to the Garden across all four boys divisions.
“I don't think too many people expected us to get there,” Woods said. “But we play a really tough schedule. We played Duxbury. We played Tewksbury twice. We played Concord Carlisle twice. We play a competitive non-league schedule. I feel like we can compete.”
Duxbury defeated Boston Latin 3-2 on Dec. 23 at The Bog in Kingston. Woods said Murphy wasn't at his best in the first match. “He's essentially just finished his freshman season.” [then]'' Woods said. “He's a different player now. His confidence has increased tremendously over the last five or six weeks. He's playing really, really good hockey.”
So did Duxbury College senior Brady Walsh, who scored 15 goals on the season, five of which came in the Dragons' final two playoff games. Walsh had a hat trick in a 5-1 win over No. 26 Malden Catholic in the Round of 16 and scored two goals in a 3-1 win over No. 15 Masconomet in the quarterfinals.
“Brady picked the right time to play his best hockey,” Flaherty said. “He's been good all year, but as the state tournament approached, all of a sudden he took his game to a whole new level. I thought he was good again today. I thought he had power.” [with] His speed, his size. he is an instigator. He's the type of kid that gets under your skin. I thought he did a great run for us. ”
Flaherty is in his third season on Duxbury's bench after a long stint as Rockland's coach. He said that created a special bond with the Dragons' senior class of 11 players.
“A lot of them started playing varsity with me when I first came in,” he said. “They're like my children. I hurt for them. They gave me everything. And they did it every day. They still want to play. .In a perfect world, we'd probably still be playing. But it's not a perfect world.”
