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ICE HOCKEY PLAYOFFS: See which 4 SouthCoast teams qualified and who they will face

laurie los lee, the standard-times
·5 min read

Four of SouthCoast’s seven ice hockey teams qualified for the 2023-24 MIAA playoffs.

The Bishop Stang boys made the playoffs for the 11th straight year while the girls are back in it for the seventh year in a row.

Dartmouth and Old Rochester/Fairhaven both finished the regular season with 12 wins and will look to make some noise in their respective state tournaments.

Here’s a look at each team and their opening matchup:

Aidan Cruz (16) of Dartmouth has Bishop Stang goaltender Carter Vane (30) one on one during the first period on Saturday afternoon at Hetland Arena.
Aidan Cruz (16) of Dartmouth has Bishop Stang goaltender Carter Vane (30) one on one during the first period on Saturday afternoon at Hetland Arena.

BOYS HOCKEY

BISHOP STANG

Record: 10-9-1

Seed: No. 37 in Div. 3

Matchup: After beating No. 28 East Longmeadow (9-9-2) 3-0 in the preliminary round on Monday, Stang visits No. 5 Essex North Shore (12-7-1) on Thursday at 6:10 p.m.

Outlook: The Spartans won three out of their last four games to qualify for the playoffs for the 11th straight season. “We are starting to play more consistently down the stretch after having to navigate some mid-season difficulties,” said Bishop Stang head coach Ken Gouveia. “Having our backs to the wall the last few weeks hasn't been a bad thing because it has forced us to play under pressure.” Carter Vane has been strong in net with a 2.73 GAA and save percentage of .896 with one shutout in 20 games. Three players — Kyle Cousineau (13 goals and 14 assists for 27 points), Aidan Cousineau (9 goals and 14 assists for 23 points) and Eli Ikkela (10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points) have more than 20 points apiece. Nate Moniz (5-8-13) and Will Sanders (0-10-10) have also contributed.

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DARTMOUTH

Record: 12-8

Seed: No. 28 in Div. 2

Opening matchup: Visits No. 5 Newburyport (16-4-1) at 5 p.m. on Wednesday at Graf Rink the Round of 32.

Outlook: After starting 0-2, Dartmouth won seven of its last 10 games to finish the regular season strong. Ashton Machado, the 2022-23 Standard-Times Boys Hockey Player of the Year, has once again been a force in net. Machado recorded his first shutout in his two seasons in a recent 5-0 win over Apponequet and has a save percentage of .906 with a 2.69 GAA. Offensively, Dartmouth has been powered by Aidan Cruz (nine goals and 23 assists), Lucas DeSousa (team-high 15 goals and four assists), Charlie Camisa (10 goals and five assists), Will Gibson (10 goals and five assists) and Maddox Larocque (eight goals and eight assists). "We have to eliminate mistakes," said Dartmouth head coach Mark Rossi. "At this point, especially in the part of the bracket we fell into, the teams we play are going to capitalize on any mistakes we make. If we play to our capability, we can compete with anyone in Division 2. With strong, disciplined play and everyone staying within their responsibility, Dartmouth can continue their season beyond Wednesday."

Old Rocheter's Tucker Roy holds onto the shot.
Old Rocheter's Tucker Roy holds onto the shot.

OLD ROCHESTER/FAIRHAVEN

Record: 12-8-1

Seed: No. 11 in Div. 4

Opening matchup: Hosts No. 22 Cohasset (11-9) in the Round of 32 at 6 p.m. on Thursday at Tabor Academy.

Outlook: The Bulldogs won four of their final five games to finish the regular season with 12 wins and finish in second place in the South Coast Conference behind Somerset Berkley. "We are firing on all cylinders hearing into the playoffs," said ORR/Fairhaven head coach Zach Ledogar. "With 10 goals in our last two games against Apponequet and Dighton-Rehoboth/Seekonk, our team chemistry and execution is at a high." Tucker Roy has anchored the defense with a strong presence in net all season. He has a .920 save percentage with a 2.54 goals against average and three shutouts. Offensively, ORR/Fairhaven has been led by Caleb Bousquet (15 goals and 18 assists), Connor Galligan (12 goals and 20 assists) and Barrett Becotte (10 goals and 16 assists).

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GIRLS HOCKEY

BISHOP STANG

Record: 8-10-2

Seed: No. 26 in Div. 1

Opening matchup: Visits No. 7 Shrewsbury (11-4-5) at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday at North Star in Northboro in the Round of 32.

Outlook: Bishop Stang head coach Bill Theodore is pleased with the progress his young team has made throughout the course of the season. “Our team has played a very difficult schedule and they have learned how good teams play and what is possible for us,” he said. “Obviously we will have a tough draw, finishing where we did, but our girls know that if we play our game, we can be hard to play against. I am so proud of this team. They have come so far since day one, and they know that if they put in the work, they can go so much further.” Isabelle Duarte has been rock solid in net for the Spartans. In 18 games, she has a save percentage of .884 while a 2.35 goals against average with three shutouts. The offense features six different players with 10 or more points. Kacey Curran (nine goals and five assists) and Madison Lewis (six goals and eight assists) both have 14 points while Ashley Smith has eight goals and four assists for 12 points. Olivia Medeiros and Meghan Costa both have five goals and six assists apiece while Julie Pacheco has four goals and six assists. “We have been able to skate three lines for the first time and it has helped us in tough games, as well as developing more players for the future,” Theodore said. “I am grateful to our leadership for their hard work and commitment to our team. They have truly made a difference. The future is bright for Spartans girls hockey.”

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: 2024 MIAA state tournament ice hockey preview for the SouthCoast