Previewing the Division 1, 2, and 3 Mass. State Finals

The following games will take place at the DCU Center in Worcester on Saturday, March 13th:

Division 1: Central Catholic vs. Saint John’s at 7:30

Division 2: Falmouth vs. Sabis at 4:00

Division 3: Wareham vs. New Leadership at 12:30

Central Catholic vs. Saint John’s

Saint John’s looks to defend their state championship crown (the Pioneers defeated Lynn English 80-62 last year) as they do battle with the Central Catholic Raiders. The Raiders, who hail from the Merrimack Valley conference, enter the game with a 24-1 overall record with the only blemish on their resume a one point loss coming at the hands of Bishop Hendricken. The Pioneers boast an equally impressive resume as they have a 21-2 record coming out of the Central Mass league.

My Olympic Experience in Montreal

The USA vs. Canada Men's Gold Medal Hockey game was, looking back on it, the most highly anticipated sporting event for me since the Holy Cross vs. Villanova football game (I know, I am crazy) in the 1st round of the FCS playoffs. That game was back in late November. The Super Bowl, while the biggest sporting event in the United States annually, did not compare to the excitement and anticipation of this hockey game. The bragging rights on the line for the United States against our neighboring country were immense; to beat the Canadians at their game, in their own country would have put the finishing touches on another successful Olympic games for the Red, White, and Blue.

What made this game all the more thrilling and drama-filled was traveling up to Montreal on the day of the game to watch it amongst some of the most passionate and die hard hockey fans in the world. Myself, along with two of my buddies from Holy Cross, walked into a sea of red and white upon entering into Ziggy's Pub on Crescent Street in Montreal. Although we were severely outnumbered, many of the Canadian fans in the pub could not have been more welcoming (this changed for obvious reasons when we were the only people cheering after the US tied it as 2 late in the 3rd period) or congratulatory following the game. We were certainly a bit apprehensive of vehemently cheering at first, but after getting a few beers in us that quickly changed. After Zach Parise's goal in the final minute to knot the score at 2, how could we not cheer for our country?