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

Sam Steinman didn't foresee having the game of his life. No one could've.

But the big-picture stuff? We all know that's coming soon. Real soon, if things keep at this pace.

The Middleboro High hockey star tallied seven goals – yes, that's correct – and one assist in a win over Abington this past weekend. The monster outing pushed the junior to the precipice of 100 career points, and within striking distance of the program's high marks in all-time points and goals.

“I can’t say I saw it coming, but I knew I had it in me," Steinman said. "I’ve been working hard for it. Hopefully I can do it again.”

It was apparent two years ago that Steinman would grow into an impactful player for the varsity Sachems. Coach Steve Chamberlain saw him skate as a middle schooler, and was keenly aware of his goal-scoring talents early on.

Then he hit the ice. Steinman's early flashes quickly evolved into him netting a nightly goal, then leading the Sachems in points by the conclusion of his freshman campaign.

“It was a running joke I had with his dad – ‘Is he going to get his one power play goal tonight?'" Chamberlain said with a laugh.

Steinman doubled his freshman point total in an All-Scholastic sophomore year (21 goals and 11 assists for 32 points), and didn't stop there. This season, the junior has 31 goals and 18 assists, now sitting at 98 career points and 64 career goals with five games to go in the Sachems' regular season schedule.

He's hunting down Cody Braga's mark of 121 career points and Brandon Lavelle's mark of 67 career goals, Middleboro High records that have stood since 2015 and 2013, respectively.

“We’ve had some players come through and put up some serious point totals, but Sam, certainly he’s unique in the sense that he led the team in points as a freshman, a sophomore, and through his junior year," said Chamberlain, a second-year head coach in his 13th year with the program. "He really exploded.”

“Of course I could see it (coming)," linemate James Joyce said. "We played together all summer and he was lighting it up. I honestly predicted him to get so many points. And he exceeded what I predicted.”

Steinman has tallied a goal in every one of Middleboro's 15 games this season (9-6).

“I love the kid. I’m so happy for him every time he scores,” Joyce said. “I think he’s the best player I’ve ever played with. Just being able to be on the ice with him is awesome.”

Steinman said the origin of his breakout season traces back to him playing alongside his two older brothers, Alex and Paul, two former Middleboro players, as a youngster. He put on skates at four years old and was off to the races.

“He’s really passionate about the game of hockey. He grew up loving the game. I think he wants to eventually play hockey at the next level," Chamberlain said. "He’s just been a kid who’s always had a stick and a puck in front of him.”

“When you love what you’re doing, you see it pay off here," the coach added.

Steinman was sure to include that his numbers are "all in the chemistry" between him, Joyce (the first-line center) and sophomore winger Wyatt Goyette. The trio have played alongside each other, and doubled as best friends off the ice, since middle school: “We always watch film in the hot tub before every game," Steinman said with a chuckle. "It’s a little tradition we have.”

Steinman plays for three clubs in the offseason – the Bridgewater Bandits, the Walpole Express and the Canadian Hockey Club. He, Joyce and Gorette first crossed paths playing for the Bridgewater Bandits in Steinman's fifth grade year.

And now, together, they've combined for 109 points through Middleboro's 15 games this season.

"I never could've pictured myself being on this good of a line," Joyce said.

In Thursday's loss to Sandwich, a final that stalled the Sachems' three-game winning streak, Steinman continued his goal-scoring heater by finding the back of the net just 20 seconds into the first period. That was his lone goal of the evening, but he later tacked on a pair of assists.

“Sometimes you have no idea how he’s going to past defenders, and he finds a way past them," Chamberlain said. "In some cases this year, he just throws the puck on net and it ends up in there."

Chamberlain thinks the upcoming 100 career goal milestone means a lot to Steinman, but the team's success "means even more to him." Middleboro, which co-ops with Carver and Wareham, is savoring its first winning season in years.

So, how is this year going to be remembered, all in all?

Said Steinman, “It’s going to be pretty memorable, I would say.”

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Middleboro's Sam Steinman having monster high school hockey season