BILLERICA — For the first time since joining the Catholic Central League Large in 2011, the Bishop Fenwick boys hockey team is ending its season with a share of the CCL title. The Crusaders clinched a spot as co-champions with Austin Prep after a 3-1 win over Lowell Catholic Thursday at the Chelmsford Forum.
“They wanted to win this,” Fenwick coach Jim Quinlin said. “It’s tremendous, they really had that extra drive to win this season. They beat those teams in our league that they weren’t before. They wanted to prove that Bishop Fenwick can play with anybody and they did. They beat St. Mary’s twice and Austin Prep once, two teams that have been at the top. We can play with anybody.”
Quinlan was especially proud of his class of nine seniors, who have each grown into leadership roles on the ice during their time at Fenwick.
“These nine seniors have been with me for four years,” Quinlan said. “Their leadership just kept on coming. Now they’ve grown into a team. I’m very proud of these kids. They work hard. I’m on them all the time, I want them to do what I ask of them and they do. They do their best.”
It took the Crusaders best on Thursday to get the job done. Despite out shooting Lowell Catholic 40-7 on the night, Fenwick trailed 1-0 before a three-goal third period lifted them to the win.
“The first period, we didn’t play well,” Quinlan said. “We came out flat, but we still outshot them. Second period we came out flying. I told them, ‘it’s going to come we just have to keep on working.’ I knew once we scored that Lowell Catholic was tired, we just had to keep the pressure up, stay focused and not get frustrated.”
The seniors led the way on offense for Fenwick. Defenseman Aedan Grenham got the scoring started in the third, and just 10 seconds later Tom Estella added another goal. Diego Alvarez-Segee also added a huge insurance goal and, while he may not have had his name on the scoresheet, Ian Worthley put forward a standout effort.
“Ian Worthley was working up and down the ice and he was really putting pressure on (Lowell Catholic),” Quinlan said. “Ian’s a great leader, great captain. You could just see it in how he was out on the ice (Thursday). The kids saw it and I asked them to play with his intensity.”
Fenwick had a 12-4 edge in shots after the first, but it was Lowell Catholic that jumped out to a lead. Fenwick goalie Jack Vieira (six saves) blocked an initial shot but David Morey buried the rebound to put Lowell Catholic ahead 1-0.
And that’s where the score stayed for more than 19 minutes. Fenwick dominated time of possession but just couldn’t slip anything by Lowell Catholic goalie Shawn Martell (37 saves).
The offense finally exploded in the third with Grenham’s slap shot getting deflected into the goal to tie things up at 1-1. Nick Muzi wasted no time lugging a puck to the net after the following faceoff and assisted Estella’s goal to put the Crusaders ahead 2-1.
The puck rarely got out of the Lowell Catholic zone from there and Max Vieira assisted Alvarez-Segee’s goal to cap off the win.
Fenwick finishes the season at 11-7-3 (6-2-2 in the CCL) and shifts its focus to the upcoming state tournament.
“Anything can happen in the state tournament,” Quinlan said. “We’re taking (Friday) and going to a team building thing. Then we’ll practice Saturday and Sunday and see what happens from there.”
