Bantam A’s capture state title in epic fashion

After sharpening their skills and focus with a series of single-elimination wins throughout the season, the boys of the Canton Youth Hockey Bantam A’s entered the pressure cooker of the state youth hockey tournament ready to face the best of the best from across the state. Rather than worry about playing against many teams they had never seen before, Canton remained focused on playing their own trademark team hockey game. It’s an approach that would pay off in the best way possible — with a perfect record and a U14 state championship banner in hand.

A workmanlike performance in the first game had Canton beating Parkway 2-0. The key to the victory was the play of their suffocating defense — specifically the defensive corps of Liam Connolly, Kevin McCabe, Will Young, and Paul Mellon, who completely overwhelmed their opponent.

Up next was a very physical Falmouth team, and Canton used their offensive attack to stun their opponent into a 4-0 defeat. Despite playing down a couple of skaters, they played a smart game and used their counter attack to seal the victory. The scoring was led by Joey Ryan, who used his brilliant stick handling, shooting, and scoring ability to take Canton to a lead it would never relinquish.

In game three, a desperate Natick team tried to derail this Canton juggernaut. It would not happen. Canton turned to their Power Line of Gavin Davis, Nick Leonetti, and Cam Guerschuny, who used their north/south game to bludgeon their foe to the tune of a 3-0 victory.

In the semifinal game, Canton squared off against a Pembroke team that had been playing great hockey. Having heard the buzz about this Canton squad, Pembroke was determined to slow them down by using the dreaded zone trap. The problem for them was you can’t trap what you can’t catch. Canton leaned on their speed and passing with great contributions from Cam Washburn, Harrison “Harry Houdini” Weitz, and once again Joey Ryan. Canton’s trio set up in the triangle offense and used their will, skill, and adept passing to pepper Pembroke into submission, 11-1.

It is said that there is nothing more difficult in tournament hockey than trying to beat an opponent twice, but that was going to be the ultimate test for the Bulldogs when they once again squared off against Falmouth in the championship game. After a long wait that had players, coaches, and parents chomping at the bit for the puck drop, the Canton team was determined to secure victory.

Another physical contest ensued and the teams went back and forth trading scoring chances. The game finally turned in Canton’s favor with some brilliant passing that led to a pair of goals from the line of James Howard, Gavin O’Toole, and Ryan DeLello. The Bulldogs held a tenuous lead of 2-1 into the third period after a deflected shot found the back of their goal. The saving grace for Canton not only in the finale, but in the entire tournament was their secret weapon, goalie Matty “Brick Wall” Wright, who was spectacular in goal for the Bulldogs all weekend, making save after brilliant save.

James Howard and Joey Ryan would tack on two highlight-reel goals, respectively, in the third period and Canton would secure a 4-2 win. Coaches Will Smith, Ryan Nagle, Scott Connolly, and Teddy Shuman did a fabulous job preaching the “team-first” approach and the players delivered, bringing home that coveted state championship!

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Posted by Guest on Mar 17 2023. Filed under Sports, Youth Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.