FRAMINGHAM — Thursday’s boys hockey slate brought together top-ranked Hanover and No. 9 Essex Tech (Danvers), who squared off at Loring Arena in the Division 3 Elite 8. Essex Tech fought until the end, but was eliminated in a 4-3 final.
Hanover (19-2-2) advanced to the semifinals to face No. 5 Shawsheen Valley Tech (20-2-1), while Essex Tech bowed out with a record of 13-8-2 under coach Ryan Sheehan (Lynnfield High ’04).
After scoring the game’s first goal within minutes, Hanover doubled its lead, 2-0, at the 6:22 mark of the opening period.
The second period was a different story, as Cam Casey and Chase Ruberti ripped goals for Essex Tech to tie the game. But 13 seconds after the equalizer, Hanover got one back before tucking another during the third period (4-2).
Jake Swencki scored to cut Essex Tech’s deficit to one in the final minutes, but it was too little, too late.
