You know what I’ve been thinking? Every now and then, I reminisce about ex-Bruin Patrice Bergeron and his ability to win face-offs. Ugh . . . the B’s were once a wagon.
Hockey and lacrosse (perhaps cousins) have some things in common: physicality, face-offs, stick-work, over-the-top goal celebrations that I very much enjoy, etc.
Well, Bergeron and St. John’s Prep’s Will Crawford have some things in common, too.
Crawford, a do-it-all junior from Marblehead, plays a pivotal role for the defending Division 1 champions.
Let’s look at this past week, when the second-seeded Eagles rolled over No. 18 Wellesley (16-1 final), No. 7 Westford Academy (11-5 final), and No. 3 Lincoln-Sudbury (12-5 final).
Across the three-game tournament stretch, Crawford, a Providence College-commit, compiled two goals and an assist. Not bad.
But winning face-offs – that’s his bread and butter. Against Wellesley, Crawford won 10 of 11. Westford Academy: 16 of 18. Lincoln-Sudbury: 15 of 18.
With time of possession on their side, Crawford’s Eagles (21-1) look for more hardware in Saturday’s title game against top-ranked Boston College High (3 p.m.).
Crawford, good week.
