St. John's Boys Hockey Enhances Shot at 1A Tournament

Based on its thorough domination of perennial Catholic Conference power Catholic Memorial in a 4-2 victory at Boston University Tuesday night, the St. John's Prep hockey team is peaking at precisely the right time. The Eagles have also thrust themselves squarely into the conversation when it comes time to select the 10 teams for this year's Division 1A Tournament.

In winning their fourth straight game, the Eagles (9-4-1 overall) outshot CM by a wide margin (34-16), continued to excel on defense and strengthened their grip on a second-place finish behind league champion Malden Catholic.

St. John's has surrendered a mere five goals during its current winning streak, anchored by the efforts of junior goaltender David Letarte and defensemen Nick Pandelena, Joe Currie, Matt West, Scott Derrickson and Christian Gutowksi.

Letarte had 14 saves against CM while freshman winger Shane Eiserman continued his stellar rookie campaign with a hat trick. After staking the Eagles to a 1-0 lead in the first period, Eiserman broke a 2-all tie with nine minutes left in the game, then tacked on an empty-netter with 50 seconds remaining.

Eiserman is the Eagles' second-leading scorer behind senior Colin Blackwell with 11 goals and 23 points. Derrickson had the other St. John's goal in the second period.

The Eagles now embark on a series of high-profile non-league games as they seek to build their resume for 1A consideration, starting with tomorrow's visit to Catholic West foe Springfield Cathedral at The Olympia (2:10 p.m.). The Eagles then face off with Middlesex League power Woburn Monday night (Ristuccia, 8:20 p.m.) and visit Arlington Catholic of the Catholic Central Large on Thursday (Ed Burns Arena, 8 p.m.).

Wrestlers second in Sectional event

The Eagles edged Chelmsford (35-34) in the quarterfinal round and tripped up Lowell (34-31) in the semifinals before falling to Lawrence (46-23) in the championship match of the Division One North Sectional Dual Meet Tournament at Chelmsford High School last Saturday.

The Eagles dominated the middle weight classes and had four wrestlers finish 3-0 on the day – Mike Mayo (130), Alex Kwmuntis (135), T.J. Crabtree (140) and Samson Lam (152). Jamie Morey, at 160 pounds, was the only other Eagle to record a win against Lawrence.

Up next for the Eagles is this weekend's Division One North Individual Sectionals.

Basketball wraps up title

St. John's claimed the Catholic Conference crown, finishing a perfect 8-0 in league play, by walloping B.C. High, 77-42, Thursday night in Dorchester. Mike Carbone and Pat Connaughton scored 18 points apiece as the Eagles improved to 13-1 overall.

That win followed last Friday's equally convincing 69-45 blowout against Xaverian in Danvers in which the Eagles raced out to a 34-14 halftime lead. Connaughton (16 points), Owen Marchetti (15) and Carbone (13) paced the balanced attack.

St. John's has non-league games at Lynn Classical Monday (4 p.m.) and home against Bishop Fenwick on Wednesday (7 p.m.) before taking part in next weekend's Comcast Tournament at B.C. High.

Swimmers claim Catholic Conference Meet

Meet MVP Robert Breen won the 50 freestyle and 100 backstroke as the Eagles won the Catholic Conference Meet at Holy Cross with 544.5 points. Ryan Fortin (200 free, 100 butterfly) and Aaron Athana (200 IM, 500 free) were also double winners for the Prep, which also won the 200 medley, 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle relays. The Eagles take part in tomorrow's Sectionals at MIT.

Upcoming …

The undefeated ski team (8-0) swept Masconomet, 116-19, and Manchester-Essex, 118-17, on Tuesday and will take part in next Tuesday's Inter Scholastic Race and Thursday's Bove Race, both at Bradford Ski Area … Fencing (16-2) lost to Commonwealth on Monday, 14-13, but knocked off Buckingham, Browne & Nichols Wednesday, 19-8. The Eagles conclude their season next Thursday against BUA at Dana Hall … Track defeated B.C. High Thursday, 121-87, in the Tri-County League Championship Meet and competes in next Friday's Division One State Meet at Reggie Lewis.