A Reading vs. Austin Prep Girls Hockey Final? Sure, We Can Dream

Players, coaches, and maybe even parents don't dare look ahead when it comes to the MIAA postseason. But fans and the media, what's wrong with a quick peak at a possible championship game on TD Garden ice.

The Reading High School and Austin Prep girls' hockey teams play quarterfinal games Tuesday (AP) and Wednesday (Reading) that could nudge the two schools closer to a title showdown.

No. 7 seed and defending state champion Austin Prep (14-3-2) faces No. 18 seed Masconomet (10-8-3) Tuesday at O'Brien Rink in Woburn. The puck drops at 8 p.m. AP advanced to the quarterfinals with a 6-0 win over Braintree. Masco advanced with a 5-4 shoot out win over Beverly/Danvers.

No. 4 seed Reading (17-3-1) takes on No. 5 Boston Latin (16-2-3) on Wednesday at O'Brien Rink. Puck drops at 8 p.m. Led by star forward Michaela Boyle (two goals, one assist), the Rockets advanced to the quarters with a 4-1 win over Hingham. The Wolfpack advanced after beating the three-headed co-op team of Haverhill/Pentucket/North Andover, 4-1.

Should the Reading schools win, it's on to Monday's semifinals where Reading would play the winner of the Needham-St. Mary's game and AP would play the winner of Woburn-Westford. And after that ... it's ok to look ahead.