Girls hockey tournament preview: Change assured for girls playoffs

The women hockey state tournaments final 12 months painted two groups as positive winners: Austin Prep pulled off the proper season to safe the Div. 1 crown earlier than leaving the MIAA, however Duxbury couldn’t survive the upset-ridden Div. 2 subject.

The dialog is way completely different this time round.

Div. 1 is loaded on the prime with No. 1 St. Mary’s changing Austin Prep as the favourite. Solely Archbishop Williams has beat them, and the 2 are in separate divisions. However two tight, one-goal battles within the common season confirmed No. 2 NDA (H) is correct behind the Spartans. A 3rd episode between the 2 within the ultimate could be epic, however neither are a assure to get there.

No. 8 Peabody/Lynnf./NR has a historical past of operating into St. Mary’s within the playoffs and will trigger bother ought to they cross paths within the state quarterfinals. If it’s not PLNR standing in the best way of the Ultimate 4, it’s doubtless a equally highly effective No. 9 Methuen/Tewksbury protection that handed a troublesome take a look at within the MVC/DCL. The trail for NDA isn’t any simpler, with harmful potential roadblocks in No. 7 Bishop Feehan, No. 15 Cape Cod, No. 18 Studying or No. 10 Arlington.

The remainder of the bracket is certain for thrilling leisure. No. 4 HPNA is on a collision course with unbeaten No. 5 Winthrop to make a run for the title, however nonetheless must get previous a well-known foe with upset potential in No. 13 Billerica/Chelmsford. The identical goes for a possible assembly between No. 3 Shrewsbury and No. 6 Hingham, however No. 11 Longmeadow and No. 14 Pope Francis are true threats.

Don’t rely the chickens earlier than they hatch in Div. 2, both.

Prime-seeded Archbishop Williams seemed destined for the title after beating St. Mary’s within the common season, however losses to No. 2 Duxbury, No. 3 Andover and No. 4 Canton afterward revealed it received’t be that simple. Any one of many 4 have the power to be champion.

Duxbury’s probability for revenge of its early exit to Canton in final 12 months’s match received’t come except the 2 meet within the ultimate. Canton’s probability at revenge for the loss to defending champion No. 5 Algonquin in final 12 months’s title sport would arrive a lot sooner, and the Titans have the weapons to as soon as once more prime the Bulldogs. Don’t rely out No. 6 Sandwich, No. 7 Falmouth or No. 8 Winchester from making a deep run.

Then there’s the upset issue. No. 18 Norwood, No. 19 Franklin, No. 20 Framingham, No. 21 Braintree, No. 22 King Philip, No. 23 Belmont, No. 24 Norwell and No. 25 Waltham have all flashed signature wins over prime groups to resemble vital sleepers, making for what may very well be a wild first two rounds of play.

Predictions

DIV. 1

CHAMPION: No. 1 St. Mary’s (L)

RUNNER-UP: No. 2 NDA (H)

SLEEPER: No. 7 Bishop Feehan

FINAL FOUR: No. 1 St. Mary’s, No. 2 NDA, No. 4 Canton, No. 6 Hingham

BEST FIRST ROUND MATCH: No. 12 Bishop Stang vs No. 21 Whitman-Hanson/SL

POTENTIAL UPSET: No. 11 Longmeadow over No. 6 Hingham

DIV. 2

CHAMPION: No. 2 Duxbury

RUNNER-UP: No. 4 Canton

SLEEPER: No. 6 Sandwich

FINAL FOUR: No. 1 Archbishop Williams, No. 2 Duxbury, No. 3 Andover, No. 4 Canton

BEST FIRST ROUND MATCH: No. 11 Lincoln-Sudbury vs No. 22 King Philip

POTENTIAL UPSET: No. 21 Braintree over No. 12 Dedham