LYNN — The St. Mary’s boys hockey team had a strong 2019-2020 season, earning a No. 5 seed in the Division 1 North tournament with a relatively young roster. And despite losing in a 1-0 overtime heartbreaker to eventual state co-champion Belmont in the quarterfinal round, the Spartans have a lot of positive momentum to bring into the 2020-2021 season.
“We were a fairly young team last year, and I think we experienced a lot during the season in terms of playing in big games and going up against tough opponents,” said Spartans coach Mark Lee, who is now in his 35th season behind the bench. “Obviously it was a little bit of a disheartening ending after losing a game in overtime that we dominated from start to finish, but the guys played their best hockey in the final game of the year. Now we’re hoping to bring that right into this season.”
The biggest factor for St. Mary’s this year will be its experience, as the Spartans have 18 players from last season’s roster returning. Starting at the top, senior captains Colby Magliozzi, Kyle LoNigro and Chrsitian Moran are set to lead the team in what will surely be an unprecedented season of hockey.
“We’ve got a strong group of leaders this year and they’re going to be especially important in a year like this,” said Lee. “With so many distractions on and off the ice with everything that’s going on, those guys will be key in keeping everyone focused on the task at hand.”
In addition to the captains, key contributors like Brady Bullock, Harrison Kinne, Dante D’Ambrosio, Eric Toto, Max Giardina, Conor Foley, and Jack Carpenter will look to make their own impact on the ice. At the goaltending spot, both of last season’s backup goalies — Owen Giangrande and Sam York — will be back to battle for the starting spot following the graduation of Sal Caruso.
“We’re lucky in that we spent a lot of time on the X’s and O’s last season, and now this year with so many guys coming back we have a bit of a head start,” said Lee. “We’ve got a lot of guys who have some experience out on the ice and I think that’s going to pay dividends.”
As is the case in most seasons, the Spartans are set up with a competitive schedule from start to finish. After kicking off the season against rival Bishop Fenwick, St. Mary’s will go up against perennial Super 8 contenders like Pope Francis, strong Catholic Central League foes like Austin Prep and Archbishop Williams and tough non-conference foes like Bridgewater-Raynham.
“In all the years I’ve been coaching in the Catholic Central League, I don’t think I’ve ever seen it this balanced,” said Lee. “Every team in the league has improved and when you look at our schedule, there really are no days off.”
Now, as St. Mary’s comes to the critical 11-day stretch before its first game, Lee knows that the team has to be focused in practice each and every day.
“It’s going to have to be all business for us out there every time we get a chance to get out on the ice,” said Lee. “With limited ice time and only a short time before our first game, we’re going to have to come with our best every day.”
The Spartans open up the season Saturday, Dec. 26 (7:20) against rival Bishop Fenwick at Connery Rink.
