Focus switches to Super Eight as hockey season winds down

The high school hockey season has entered the home stretch and while several teams have already locked up trips to the postseason, several others are still in quest of locking up a tourney spot.Division 1The Super Eight this year could have a very distinct North Shore feel as Malden Catholic, St. Mary’s and St. John’s are all legitimate contenders to be in the preeminent tournament in the state.The Lancers (14-2-2) won the Catholic Conference title this season and are led by Saugus native Mike Vecchione, who along with Ryan Fitzgerald and Brendan Collier, team to form the most explosive line in the state.On Monday, St. Mary’s (12-4-3) pushed the Lancers like not many teams have this season in a 3-2 loss at Connery Rink. The Spartans suffered another set back against Springfield Cathedral Wednesday and will host Weymouth tonight (6:30) in what likely could be a matchup for an automatic berth into the Super Eight.There was a time this season when St. John’s (11-5-1) was scuffling and in jeopardy of not making the tournament. The Eagles, however, have taken flight on the back of Colin Blackwell and now are all but a lock to be in the Super Eight.On the girls side, it looked to be a year where St. Mary’s was supposed to be pushed by some of the upper echelon teams. And yes, the Spartans have three ties this season, but on the back of brilliant play from Sarah Foss in goal and an explosive offense, St. Mary’s is primed for another title run.Probably the most pleasant surprise of the winter on the ice might be the Winthrop/English girls under head coach Anthony Martucci. The Bulldogs have lost only twice in 16 games this season and are a serious threat to make a deep run in D1.A team on the bubble is Marblehead as the Headers sit at 9-7-1 and need a point in one of their final two games to make the dance.Division 2Perrenially one of the most competitive tournaments in the MIAA during the winter season, the North will be loaded with a bunch of local teams that are all capable of making a deep run in March.Heading the list is Bishop Fenwick under coach Dan Lynch. The champions of the Catholic Central League/Small sport a spectacular 13-3-2 record so far this season and are one of the quiet threats to claim a sectional title.Over in Saugus, first year coach Jeff Natalucci has led the Sachems to a 10-1-7 record and are unbeaten in over a month. Saugus is part of a convoluted race in the Northeastern Conference/South that will be settled soon.Peabody sits at 10-4-3 and are primed to try and repeat their run to the North final of a season ago while Beverly has become the feel good story on the boys side this season as the youthful Panthers are at 12-4-1 under coach Bob Gilligan.Winthrop was expected to struggle with the loss of goaltender Pat Feeley to prep school this year and the Vikings did just that out of the gate, sitting at 0-2-3 after five games. But coach Dale Dunbar’s team has been nearly unstoppable since, currently sitting on a 13 game unbeaten streak and at 11-2-4 overall.Danvers and Lynnfield are barely on the outside looking in as each needs a single point to make the tourney while Revere, despite having a 5-11-0 record, still is alive to qualify via a second place finish in the NEC South.Division 3Its been a roller coaster season thus far for Marblehead but it looks like the Headers have righted the ship at just the right time, sitting at 12-4-3 and playing their best hockey of the season.One of the Headers early season losses came at the hands of the Lynn Jets and goaltender Nick Comeau. The Jets looked primed to make a run at a tourney berth when Comeau was injured against Masconomet in December and was lost for nearly two months.Since his return, however, the Jets have played well and currently sit second in the NEC South and would earn a trip to the postseason.