Red-hot CHS boys hockey running away with Davenport Division
By Jay Turner
Linemates Eddie Gillis and AJ Thomas celebrate one of the 9 Canton goals scored vs. OA last week. (Mike Tureski photo)
The wins — and the goals — continue to pile up for the CHS boys ice hockey team as the Bulldogs have begun to run away with the Davenport Division in this COVID-shortened 2021 season.
With no teams on the schedule that pose much of a threat, the defending champs have feasted on lesser competition — outscoring their last three opponents by a 22-4 margin while running their record to a perfect 6-0.
Last week saw the Bulldogs demolish Stoughton and Oliver Ames as 11 different Canton players found the back of the net, led by Dylan Coyne with three goals and AJ Thomas and Sam Carlino with two apiece. Also getting on the score sheet for Canton last week were Mike Leonetti and Andrew Valkanas, who both had their first varsity goals, as well as Sean Connolly, Eamon Kelly, James DeLello, Eddie Gillis, Vinnie Sica and Jeff Chaput.
Backup goalie Aiden French also saw some action last week while sophomore James Young was moved to a defenseman’s role for the OA game and “played great” according to head coach Brian Shuman.
While acknowledging that the competition hasn’t been particularly strong, Shuman said there were several positive takeaways from their recent victories, including the continued emergence of the forward line of Tommy Phaneuf, Gillis and AJ Thomas — all newcomers to the varsity squad.
“Those three have really gotten so much better from the start of the year until now,” he said. “Usually it takes a good year or so to get acclimated to this level, but they’ve fit right in and I feel comfortable putting them out there against any team’s top line in any situation.”
Shuman was also pleased to name two new captains with the recent promotions of goalie Liam Polles and DeLello, who have both earned it with their leadership and their on-ice play.
All in all, the coach has been thrilled with the performance of his young squad, and while they have yet to face any real adversity, he is quite confident that they could hold their own against tougher competition given their rapid development and overall hockey IQ.
“They have yet to really be challenged,” said Shuman, “but I do think when this team is playing well and playing to their ability, they’re very impressive. We’ve even had opposing coaches say as much, and when you hear from people outside of the program who tell you that they haven’t missed a beat, that’s a pretty good compliment and says a lot about this team.”
While the schedule remains constantly in flux due to COVID-19, the Bulldogs still had two remaining games against Foxboro and will look to get in one more each against both Stoughton and Oliver Ames before calling it a season.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=72776
Posted by Jay Turner
on Feb 5 2021. Filed under High School, Sports.
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