PEABODY — Behind a late goal from senior Mark Wilson, the Bishop Fenwick boys hockey team picked up a key conference victory when it knocked off Archbishop Williams by a score of 2-1 in a Catholic Central League bout at McVann-O’Keefe Memorial Rink Saturday night.
“This was a big game for the league and it was great to come out and get the win,” said Fenwick coach Jim Quinlan.
Wilson and Manny Alvarez-Segee each scored one goal in the win for the Crusaders, while Cam Anderson notched one assist.
But one of the biggest stories of the night was the play of Fenwick junior goalie Josh Millman, who stepped in for normal starter Dillon Bloom and earned his first career high school victory.
“Josh works hard every day and it’s great to see him play so well when he’s gotten the opportunity,” said Quinlan. “He pushes Dillon and Dillon pushes him, and I think they’re both getting better because of it.”
The game was a back-and-forth battle the whole way, with Fenwick finally getting the edge when Alvarez-Segee earned a penalty shot and cashed in late in the first period.
But Williams came right back, eventually scoring a goal to tie the game right after coming off of a powerplay opportunity in the second period.
The two sides went into the final period deadlocked at 1-1, and it wasn’t until midway through the period that the Crusaders were able to strike. Anderson took control of the puck near center ice and slipped a nifty pass to Wilson, who broke into the offensive zone all alone and capitalized on the breakaway chance to make it a 2-1 game. After getting a few more scoring chances and killing off the rest of the clock, Fenwick was able to skate away with the victory.
“We had a number of opportunities and, like has been the case for a few games now, we struggled to cash in on those chances,” said Quinlan. “We’ve got to work on finding the back of the net more.”
Fenwick (2-4-0) is back in action Wednesday night (7) with a home game against Austin Prep back at McVann-O’Keefe Memorial Rink.
“They’re an incredibly talented team that skates well and is well-coached,” Quinlan said of Austin Prep. “We’re working on putting a game plan together and we’re going to come out and try to match their effort all night.”
