ARLINGTON — It wasn’t as easy as last Wednesday’s season opener against Lowell Catholic, but the St. Mary’s boys hockey team made it two wins in two games to start the season on Saturday afternoon.
Freshman Brady Bullock (two goals) scored the winning goal as the Spartans held off Catholic Central League rival Arlington Catholic for a 3-2 win at Ed Burns Arena.
Bullock and junior Brady Carpenter scored the first two Spartan goals to give them a 2-1 lead entering the first intermission.
“It’s always a battle with Arlington Catholic and this was no different,” Spartans coach Mark Lee said. “I don’t think we had our best game, but we like to think that teams find a way and we did. I’m proud of the way our kids kept fighting through even though it wasn’t our best.”
The Spartans couldn’t have scripted a better start as Magliozzi found Bullock in the left circle 53 seconds into the game. Bullock let his shot go from the left circle, finding the top corner of Cougar goaltender Trevor Lally’s net.
Quick leads in the first two games have helped Lee’s team play with added confidence, but Arlington Catholic responded to tie the score at 1-1. With 5:55 left in the first period, Carson Priante beat St. Mary’s senior Sal Caruso to a rebound on the power play.
The Cougar advantage didn’t last long, however, as Carpenter slotted one over the goaltender’s shoulder from outside the crease just 1:11 later. Senior Owen Maguire picked up the assist.
St. Mary’s had plenty of scoring opportunities in the middle frame, but it was held in check on multiple power plays while Lally was strong in goal. The Cougars tied the game just 23 seconds in when Thomas Milne drove hard to the net and slipped a goal past Caruso.
“Sometimes, in any sport, you don’t have your A-game, but we never got down,” Lee said. “Even though we struggled at points, we didn’t give up and it was good to see us stay positive throughout. It was a hard-fought game and we got it done.”
The Spartans’ positive energy paid off as Bullock’s deciding goal came just 46 seconds into the final frame. It was a near recreation of the game’s first tally on a shot from the left side.
“This is his first full year, and he’s starting off hot because he’s a student of the game,” Lee said of Bullock, who also scored in the season-opening, 7-0 win. “He’s in the right spot at the right time, he’s got some skill in his game and he’s working with a lot of unselfish players around him. They move the puck around well out there.”
From there, the Spartans leaned on Caruso to make some big saves, including a point-blank stop on Priante in the slot with less than five minutes to play. The Cougars were unable to find the equalizer, even after Lally was pulled in the final 1:30.
“He’s a senior goaltender, so he knows how to make those big saves when the team needs them,” Lee said of Caruso. “We were able to build momentum off of some of those. He’s a smart goaltender and very vocal to his teammates. We’re lucky to have him back there.”
Now 2-0, the Spartans will resume play with a Monday game (6) against St. John’s of Shrewsbury at the New England Sports Center.
