Difference-makers: 30 local hockey players to watch in upcoming MIAA playoffs

Game-changers.

They come in handy at this time of year when the MIAA hockey playoffs roll around.

That unstoppable power forward or brick-wall goaltender can spell the difference between moving on and packing up the winter gear for good. We've chronicled the exploits of all the local stars throughout the regular season, including anonymous surveys of coaches for Patriot League boys teams and Patriot League girls teams.

Now it's time to present a postseason blueprint of sorts as we try to predict which players will have the most impact on the upcoming state tournaments.

More: Title contenders gear up for home stretch: Boys hockey Top 10 ranking

The following is not a comprehensive list of all the good local talent that will be showcased in the playoffs. Instead, we kept a narrow focus and tried to identify 30 players (15 girls, 15 boys) who could fundamentally alter the postseason landscape if things break the right way for them.

More: Heavyweight title bout on tap: Girls hockey Top 10 ranking

Here then are 30 South Shore players to watch as the playoffs loom:

GIRLS HOCKEY

Caroline Batchelder, Archbishop Williams

Junior assistant captain from Braintree recently became the program's all-time leading goal-scorer with 56. The Bishops' sub-.500 record (9-10-2) is a product of a challenging schedule, so don't overlook them in the Division 1 tournament.

Jen Birolini, Pembroke

One of the state's most prolific scorers (27 goals and counting), she makes the Titans (15-5) a dangerous foe in Division 2, especially since Pembroke has other quality offensive options such as Ella Skeiber and Hannah D'Angelo to distract opposing defenses.

Lila Chamoun, Milton

One of the top goaltenders around, she has led the Wildcats on a terrific two-season run that included last winter's drive to the Division 2 Round of 16 and this season's 17-4-1 campaign. Just had a 31-save shutout against Marshfield.

Izzy Cusack, Canton

Made a big impact as a freshman forward on last year's Division 2 state runner-up squad (7 goals, 8 assists). She's at it again this winter, leading the Bulldogs (17-4-1) to another standout regular season and a No. 7 seed in the playoffs.

Caitlin Dilley, Whitman-Hanson/Silver Lake

This senior got a vote when we surveyed Patriot League coaches about the league's top defenseman. One said of her: "Plays a ton of minutes against the other team's top line. Can contribute offensively and never gets beat defensively." Will have her hands full against Pembroke in the Division 2 first round.

Caroline Doherty, Hingham

Junior forward led the Harborwomen to the Division 1 quarterfinals last winter with 47 goals and could power another deep run this time. She had a hat trick in a recent 3-0 win over Whitman-Hanson/Silver Lake.

Maddie Greenwood, Duxbury

This junior is the most dangerous forward (16 goals, 12 assists at last check) on perhaps the best team in the state. The Dragons (19-3) are chasing a second straight Division 2 state crown and own wins over the likes of NDA, Canton (rematch of last year's title game), Hingham (twice) and Pembroke.

Erin Kral (or Ava Larkin), Notre Dame Academy

We'll cheat a bit here and count NDA's goalie tandem as one player. Kral, a sophomore from Whitman, and Larkin, a senior from Canton, both have been outstanding for the Division 1 powerhouse Cougars (14-4-2), who are built on defense, allowing just 20 goals in 20 games.

Anna McGinty, Duxbury

Senior goalie was outstanding in last year's Division 2 title run (0.78 goals-against average. .941 save percentage) and has put up similar numbers this season for the Dragons (19-3). She's more than capable of stealing a game, if needed.

Morgan Murphy, Marshfield

The Rams have been flying lately with their eight-game win streak finally snapped in a 1-0 loss to Division 2 powerhouse Milton. Murphy, who boasts a sub-2.00 GAA, was as sharp as usual in that one. Marshfield (12-8) could pull some upsets in Division 2.

Alyssa O'Connor, Weymouth

Junior goalie was front and center in a recent nine-game unbeaten streak (7-0-2) that lifted the Wildcats into playoff position. Weymouth surrendered just seven goals during that run and then capped off a 10-9-3 regular season with a shutout against Ursuline Academy.

Calli Pineau, Norwell/Scituate/Abington

Somewhat overlooked because N/S/A (7-12-1) will be a big underdog in the playoffs, this senior from Abington is one of the best all-around players on the South Shore with 18 goals and 14 assists. Coach Tori Dinger says her captain has had "an explosive season in all aspects of the game."

Sophie Schiller, Hanover

A standout soccer player, this junior also is a star hockey forward with a team-high 18 points (7 goals, 11 assists) for the Division 2 Hawks (9-9-1). Coach Pam Manning says, "Sophie's hockey IQ and vision of the ice is remarkable. Her ability to anticipate plays on offense and defense make her a playmaker."

Nora Shea, Braintree

This freshman forward was up to double digits in goals by the end of January and will be asked to fuel the Wamps' Division 1 playoff offense. Says coach Kevin Burchill: "She has skills that are probably the best in the Bay State (Conference) in terms of skating, stickhandling and shooting."

Gabbie Sidman, Plymouth North/South

Junior goalie has been a big part of the co-op's strong finish to the regular season as Plymouth (9-8-3) will take a five-game winning streak (with three shutouts) into the Division 2 playoffs. Not bad considering the co-op lost two 100-point players (Maeve Campbell, Jen Diercks) to graduation.

BOYS HOCKEY

Johnny Bell, Weymouth

Senior forward, a transfer from the American Hockey Academy, was one of our recent High School Boys Hockey Player of the Week winners, garnering more than 24,000 votes for a big game (2 goals, 2 assists) in a 6-4 win over rival Braintree.

Cohasset/Hull's 100-point club

Like we did with the girls (NDA's goalie tandem), we're going to cheat here and count the co-op's three – yes, three – career 100-point scorers as one selection. Stick salute to Luke Dunham, Shane Mulcahy and Robbie Casagrande, all of whom hit the milestone this season for the Skippers (11-9).

Paul Dzavik, Hingham

Senior forward has led the scoring charge for the Harbormen, keeping them afloat early in the season when linemate Travis Rugg was sidelined with an injury. Hingham (13-7-2) has suffered five one-goal losses, so Dzavik and company are as dangerous as usual in Division 1.

More: Young goaltenders, veterans in close games: Hingham boys hockey rounding into tourney form

Hunter Grafton, Abington

Senior forward, who's also a standout golfer and lacrosse player, was at 27 goals at last check. He recently predicted a "Cinderella (playoff) run" for the Green Wave (10-9-1), and – look at that – they'll take a five-game winning streak into the Division 4 tournament.

More: Bucci's latest overtime challenge: Abington wins thriller with ESPN star on the mic

Michael Hussey, Duxbury

Senior captain recently got a pair of votes from Patriot League coaches when they were asked to name the league's top defenseman. A puck-mover, he'll be key as the Dragons (10-8-4) try to make a third straight trip to the Division 2 semifinals.

Drew Karlovits, BC High

The freshman goaltender from Cohasset heads into the Division 1 tournament off back-to-back shutouts against Arlington Catholic and Bishop Feehan at the Buddy Ferreira Classic. He also made 41 saves in a recent 2-2 tie with archrival Catholic Memorial for the always-dangerous Eagles (9-10-1).

Finn Kelly, Archbishop Williams

The junior forward from Dorchester has been Archies' top gun all season, so it was fitting that he scored in double-OT to beat Reading in last week's Buddy Ferreira Classic final. He's got eight goals in his last three games as the Bishops (16-4-1) gear up for the Division 1 playoffs.

More: Grunt work: Pembroke's Deminico has been the 'glue' for Archbishop Williams boys hockey

Kevin Murphy, Marshfield

Although the Rams' final regular-season game was a wild one – a 5-5 tie with Xaverian – they generally have been stingy defensively with Murphy (1.06 GAA, .937 save percentage, 7 shutouts) leading the way in a 16-3-3 (12-0-2 Patriot League) campaign.

Thomas Perkins, Hanover

The Hawks (11-9) are just two seasons removed from a Division 3 state crown. The junior goalie figures to be a big part of this year's Division 4 title quest – Hanover both scores and allows around 2.6 goals per game, so there's little margin for error.

Nolan Petrucelli, Norwell

The Clippers (15-5-1) are the defending Division 4 state champs. This senior forward will play a big role in their quest for a repeat. He's one of many who have had to pick up the slack following the graduation of playoff legend Timmy Ward.

Kyle Ready, Pembroke

When we surveyed Patriot League coaches, this junior received 3.5 of the 4 votes cast for the league's best goaltender. That bodes well for the Titans' chances in Division 3. Pembroke (11-5-4) went 6-2-1 down the stretch, allowing 11 goals over that span, almost half of them in a 5-5 tie with Foxboro.

Sam Steinman, Middleboro/Carver/Wareham

Talk about eye-popping numbers. This junior from Middleboro has 40 goals and 24 assists for a 13-7 team that hits the Division 3 playoffs on a four-game winning streak. Steinman had a seven-goal game against Abington earlier this month.

More: 'He really exploded': After 7 goals in one game, Steinman closing in on Middleboro history

James Sullivan, Scituate

This 6-foot-4 senior left wing leads one of the state's most dynamic No. 1 lines, partnering with junior right wing Nate Sannella and junior center Luke Ryan to create endless headaches for opponents. The Sailors (15-5-2) are looking to break through after losing in OT in last year's Division 3 state final.

More: Production Line: Scituate boys hockey's top trio does it again in win over Hanover

Brendan Tourgee, Canton

Senior forward was a big part of last year's Division 2 state championship club, chipping in 10 goals and 13 assists. He's got an even bigger role now (12 goals, 15 assists at last check) as the Bulldogs (15-4-2) attempt to repeat.

More: Newcomers to reigning champ Canton High boys hockey powering team's run at a repeat

Luke Tropeano, Whitman-Hanson

In our recent anonymous survey of Patriot League coaches, this senior forward for the Panthers (10-8-2) got votes as both the league's best goal-scorer and its most underrated player. One coach said of him: "Plays the game hard, plays over 30 minutes a game, plays all situations."

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Here are 30 local high school hockey players to watch for in playoffs